Kenneth H. Funk

Associate Professor 
Oregon State University 
Mechanical, Industrial and Manufacturing Engineering


Contact:

Email: funkk@engr.orst.edu

Phone: TBD

Address: Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering 212 Rogers Hall Oregon State University Corvallis, OR 97331-6001

Website: TBD

Bio

Kenneth H. Funk II received the Bachelor of Arts degree in biology, magna cum laud, from Taylor University, and the Master of Science and Doctor of Philosophy degrees in Industrial and Systems Engineering from The Ohio State University. He came to Oregon State University in 1980 and is now Associate Professor in Oregon State’s School of Mechanical, Industrial, and Manufacturing Engineering, where he teaches courses in human factors engineering, work systems engineering, and philosophy of technology. In addition to his OSU appointment, Dr. Funk worked as a faculty fellow and research psychologist for the US Navy and served as a panelist for the National Research Council.

Dr. Funk's primary research addresses human performance in complex, high risk systems, like submarines, surface warships, airplanes, and operating rooms. His work has been funded by the US Navy, the Federal Aviation Administration, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the US Army, and private agencies. He is the author of journal articles, book chapters, and conference papers on concurrent task management, human factors of aircraft automation, human performance modeling, and human factors in the hospital operating room. He is a member of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.


Research Interest 

  • Aviation Human Factors
  • Human Factors in Health Care
  • Good Work, the design of work that is good for the worker as well as the employer
  • Philosophy of Technology

Current, Recent, and Upcoming HCD Courses

  • IE 545 – Human Factors Engineering – 4 Credits – Fall Terms
  • IE 546/599 – Human Factors Engineering II – 4 Credits – Winter Terms

Human Factors Engineering Laboratory

Location: BAT 050
Phone Number: (541) 737 - 5837
Website: (TBD)
Research Equipment and Software: 

  • Flight Simulator
  • Precision Targeting Device Emulator
  • X-Plane flight simulator software
  • SPSS statistical analysis software

Current Projects

  • Precision Targeting Device User Interfaces (US Army)
  • Thermal Weapons Sight User Interfaces (US Army)
  • Infectious Disease Diagnosis Aid (Willamette International)
  • Characterization and Design of Good Work (anonymous sponsor)

Selected Publications

  • Funk, K.H. (1991). Cockpit Task Management:  Preliminary definitions, normative theory, error taxonomy, and design recommendations. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 1(4), 271-285.
  • Chou, C.D., Madhavan, D. & Funk, K.H. (1996). Studies of Cockpit Task Management errors. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 6(4), 307-320.
  • Funk, K., Lyall, B. Wilson, J., Vint, R., Niemczyk, M., Suroteguh, C. & Owen, G. (1999). Flight deck automation issues. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 9(2), 109-123.
  • Funk, K.H., Bauer, J.D., Doolen, T.L., Telasha, D., Nicolalde, R.J., Reeber, M., Yodpijit, N., & Long, M. (2010). The use of modeling to identify vulnerabilities to human error in laparoscopy. The Journal of Minimally Invasive Gynecology, 17(3), 311-320.
  • Feuerbacher, R.L., Funk II, K.H., Spight, D.H., Diggs, B.S., & Hunter, J.G. (2012). Realistic distractions and interruptions impair simulated surgical performance by novice surgeons.  Archives of Surgery 147(11),  1026-1030.