72nd Spring Congress of the Society for Ergonomics "Human-centered work design"

The Spring Congress of the Society for Ergonomics 2026

The world of work is facing profound upheavals. Global uncertainties in supply chains, energy supply and markets are coming up against megatrends such as digitalization and artificial intelligence, sustainability and decent work, demographic change, new working time models and advancing automation. These developments are increasing the pressure on companies and society alike - and harbour the risk that humane work design will be relegated to the background and pursued reactively.

For a healthy and sustainable future, it is crucial to focus on the humane perspective. Occupational science makes a significant contribution here: it shows how the challenges of the modern working world can be overcome through a proactive, scientifically sound design approach.

The 2026 Spring Congress of the Gesellschaft für Arbeitswissenschaft in Kassel will therefore be held under the motto "Human-centered work design", to which I cordially invite you. Here, the many facets of the topic will be examined in all their breadth, discussed and developed further together. The dialogue will continue at the GfA 2026 autumn conference in Friedrichshafen, which will be hosted by Prof. Karsten Kluth from the University of Siegen and will focus on concrete solutions for humane working environments.

The GfA is sending out an important signal with both events: Only by consistently focusing work design on people can future-proof, sustainable and successful working environments be created.

Prof. Dr. habil. Oliver Sträter & team are looking forward to shaping the year of people-oriented work design together with the participants at the spring congress.

Responsible: Unit ‘Work and Organizational Psychology'

Contact: Simone Otto

Further information: gfa2026.de