Profile
Helen Dudfield
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About Me:
I have been interested in psychology since my teens and originally wanted to study the great apes! Not many jobs in that so I have worked in human factors both designing the interface between users and their workstation and improving their training through technology.
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I’m really interested in how the brain works and then designing for this. The science of the brain, cognition, has got better faster with imaging and we are really developing better understanding of thinking and feeling. I work mainly in an engineering organisation so my teams are more diverse. I am really keen to increase representation in engineering for women and other minorities.
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My pronouns are:
She/her
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My Work:
I’m researching into new and future technologies to improve training and to ensure users can do their jobs to their best. This can be virtual reality or robotic systems and as psychologists we want to know if it helps the user and is it ethical?
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My Typical Day:
Most days I am doing desk based research, learning about new technologies, discussing what they can do for users and how can we assess if they are worth investing in.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Well I would want local psychology students to benefit either visiting a significant site or buying new kit.
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Education:
I went to school at a secondary school in Birmingham then university in Hull with a PhD at Cranfield University.
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Qualifications:
That’s a while ago but I think about 8 GCSEs then 2 A levels which led to a BSc and MSc in occupational psychology. Finally I was so interested in designing aircraft cockpits I completed a PhD into cockpit design methods.
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Work History:
So I’ve been working in the same organisation for many years from a graduate to Chief Scientist . I really love my area of psychology and so have kept technical throughout my career.
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Current Job:
I am the Chief Scientist for Human Performance in an engineering organisation that has about 150 human scientists.
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Employer:
QinetiQ
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Brain based training
What did you want to be after you left school?
Psychologist in a real setting
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Often in my early senior years!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Animal biologist
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Adele
What's your favourite food?
Cheese!
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Happiness friendship health
Tell us a joke.
Knock knock…who’s there…Dr…Dr who?
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