About Author: Kathryn Woodcock

Website
http://woodcock.blog.torontomu.ca
Description
Dr. Kathryn Woodcock is Professor at Toronto Metropolitan University, teaching, researching, and consulting in the area of human factors engineering / ergonomics particularly applied to amusement rides and attractions (https://thrilllab.blog.torontomu.ca), and to broader occupational and public safety issues of performance, error, investigation and inspection, and to disability and accessibility.

Posts by Kathryn Woodcock

  • TORONTO, June 26, 2012 – As the Canada Day long weekend approaches, many families may be thinking about heading to an amusement park or summer festival for a fun day […]0June 26, 2012

    Five amusement tips for kids: how not to have a bad day

    TORONTO, June 26, 2012 – As the Canada Day long weekend approaches, many families may be thinking about heading to an amusement park or summer festival for a fun day […]

  •   The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer is a moving experience. I keep the framed Obligation on my office wall immediately over my shoulder. Initiated by Prof. Haultain […]0April 28, 2012

    Engineering, the Obligation

      The Ritual of the Calling of an Engineer is a moving experience. I keep the framed Obligation on my office wall immediately over my shoulder. Initiated by Prof. Haultain […]

  • One of the most common questions I receive both in small-talk conversations and media interviews (such as _this one_), is how rides can be scary and safe at the same […]0April 27, 2012

    Scary-safe rides

    One of the most common questions I receive both in small-talk conversations and media interviews (such as _this one_), is how rides can be scary and safe at the same […]

  • There is considerable diversity from jurisdiction to jurisdiction about portable carnival ride inspection. However no rides go uninspected. Every time a portable amusement ride is assembled, the crew will inspect […]0February 26, 2012

    Amusement ride safety: who “does” it?

    There is considerable diversity from jurisdiction to jurisdiction about portable carnival ride inspection. However no rides go uninspected. Every time a portable amusement ride is assembled, the crew will inspect […]

  • I just finished reading “Theme Park Design: Behind the scenes with an engineer” by Steve Alcorn. I picked it up at the Bookstore during the IAAPA Expo in Orlando last […]0December 3, 2011

    Accessible theme parks

    I just finished reading “Theme Park Design: Behind the scenes with an engineer” by Steve Alcorn. I picked it up at the Bookstore during the IAAPA Expo in Orlando last […]

  •   Any service involves queueing, whether it is a doctor’s office or public transit. The queue is the area where you wait for service. Sometimes you are literally in a […]0November 19, 2011

    In the queue

      Any service involves queueing, whether it is a doctor’s office or public transit. The queue is the area where you wait for service. Sometimes you are literally in a […]

  • I would like to thank the Academy, er, the Executive Council of the Association of Canadian Ergonomists for designating me a Fellow of the Association at the 2011 Annual Meeting. […]0October 22, 2011

    Fellow me

    I would like to thank the Academy, er, the Executive Council of the Association of Canadian Ergonomists for designating me a Fellow of the Association at the 2011 Annual Meeting. […]

  • Human Factors Engineering is about improving the match between people and the technology and environment around them so that both well-being and performance are improved. Safety and comfort are often […]0September 22, 2011

    Equity

    Human Factors Engineering is about improving the match between people and the technology and environment around them so that both well-being and performance are improved. Safety and comfort are often […]

  • As Labour Day approaches, thoughts turn to teaching. There are those who think research is what academics really prefer to do, that research entails hiding in the lab or library […]0August 12, 2011

    Teaching

    As Labour Day approaches, thoughts turn to teaching. There are those who think research is what academics really prefer to do, that research entails hiding in the lab or library […]

  • For the past five years or so, we have been compiling, reviewing and extending the relatively scant scientific evidence about musculoskeletal injuries and sign language interpreting (SLI). This topic hit […]0July 1, 2011

    Trouble signs

    For the past five years or so, we have been compiling, reviewing and extending the relatively scant scientific evidence about musculoskeletal injuries and sign language interpreting (SLI). This topic hit […]

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