PSCR Staff Spotlight: Exploring the Voices of First Responders with the NIST Visualization and Usability Group

PSCR Staff Spotlight: Exploring the Voices of First Responders with the NIST Visualization and Usability Group

The NIST Visualization and Usability Group performs research to develop user-centered measurement and evaluation methods, guidelines, and standards by applying human factors, cognitive science, user-centered design, and usability principles to improve human system interaction. In 2017, some of the Usability team’s experts joined the PSCR team to launch the Voices of First Responders project and provide guidance for the public safety research and development (R&D) community. The project’s objective is to ensure that technologies are developed for and with first responders to achieve their goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in their specified contexts of use.


PSCR’s communications team interviewed Dr. Choong, Dr. Dawkins, and Dr. Buchanan on the Usability Team to learn more about the history of the Voices of First Responders project and what audiences can expect to hear in the upcoming “Voices of First Responders: PSCR’s Survey Analyzer Tool in Action” webinar!


Can you describe the purpose of the Usability team and your current roles on the team? 


Yee-Yin Choong (YC): We’re a multi-disciplinary group and our focus is human-centered research. Our vision is “championing the human in information technology.” And the “human” is a loose term – to me, it’s any human that interacts with technology; be it the developers, administrators, policy makers, or end users. In 2017 our team was brought under the PSCR umbrella to focus on the User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) portfolio to provide our expertise in usability, human-centered design, and human factors, to support their vision. Currently I’m the Usability Lead supporting the UI/UX portfolio.


Shanee Dawkins (SD): Specifically regarding PSCR, the purpose of our team is to look at the hu ..

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