At Michigan Technological University, research is a defining element of the academic experience and a driving force behind discovery and innovation. Within this vibrant research environment, the Department of Psychology and Human Factors (PHF) advances knowledge at the dynamic intersection of cognitive science, human performance, and technology. Faculty and students pursue diverse, forward-thinking research that spans foundational studies of cognition, learning, memory, and emotion to applied investigations of how people interact with complex systems, tools, and environments. Using a broad range of methodologies—including experimental design, computational modeling, ethnography, surveys, and field studies—the department works to enhance human performance, safety, decision-making, and well-being in technology-rich contexts.
Research groups and laboratories within PHF provide students with meaningful, hands-on opportunities to contribute to impactful scholarship. From exploring cognitive aging and real-world functioning to examining decision processes in dynamic environments and advancing theory through experimentation and modeling, faculty-led projects integrate basic and applied science in powerful ways. Graduate programs in Applied Cognitive Science and Human Factors offer rigorous training that bridges research and practice, preparing students to address complex challenges in human–technology interaction, artificial intelligence, and system design. At the same time, undergraduate researchers are actively involved in ongoing studies, gaining valuable experience that strengthens their academic foundation and prepares them for advanced study or careers in research and industry.
Labs and Groups
Our research labs and groups reflect the interdisciplinary nature of the Department of Psychology and Human Factors. They provide the capacity for basic theories in human cognition: learning, emotion, decision-making, memory, and attention to a wide variety of human and technology interactions.
Applied Cognitive Science Forum
Bi-weekly presentations by Michigan Tech researchers and guest speakers in the areas of human factors and applied cognitive science.