Best Dissertation in the field of Ergonomics and Human Factors in the Period of 2013 - 2016

For her PhD thesis on Comfortable Passenger Seats, Suzanne received the Best Dissertation award from the Dutch Ergonomics Society Human Factors NL.

According to the jury, "the doctoral thesis of Ms. S. Hiemstra-Mastrigt excels in a clear manner. Its treatment of the chosen, multifaceted issue is very systematic, professional and often original. She therefore is master in theory and practice and has given a valuable example through a coherent set of heterogeneous studies and recommendations."

Further feedback from the jury report described how it provides a "systematic overview of the design, acquisition and usage problems of the sitting supports for passengers in planes, trains and automobiles. With several, mostly small-scale practical and laboratory investigations, it extends the professional understanding of this area. The presentation of the content is attractive and very organized."

The jury assessed the entries for the Human Ergonomics dissertation prize based on adequate coherence between problem and conduct of the study, good data analysis and scientific discussion of the results, amongst other criteria.