Susan Weinschenk,
PhD, CUA
Chief of Technical Staff
Director of Training

email Susan

• I mentor and manage the usability and human factors consultants at HFI, concentrating on the US teams
• Diagnose client needs
• Director of Training – in charge of the course offerings to clients
• Management Team – I'm a member of the corporate management team

I've been in the field of usability and human factors for over 30 years. I go back before there were screens! My experience includes human factors and usability projects for Fortune 500 companies... a little bit of hard panel design for copiers and microwaves... I've designed for PDA's. Of course web sites, Intranets, web applications, guidelines, usability testing. Right now I am very interested in non cognitive processing – unconscious decision making, intuition in decision making, persuasion, emotion, trust and persuasive architecture and design. And I am investigating generational differences in technology use. I like to teach, mentor, do public speaking. I was a college professor for a while, but I much prefer teaching adults in the "real world". I've developed dozens of courses over the years, and authored more than one UCD methodology. I've been with HFI since 2003. I worked for Human Performance Associates many years ago, and that's where I met Eric Schaffer. For 12 years I was the owner and Principal of Weinschenk Consulting Group.

Ph.D., 1979, Pennsylvania State University in Psychology

M.S., 1978, Pennsylvania State University in Psychology

I completed my masters and Ph.D. both in 3 years. I was on a full fellowship and that helped a lot to speed it up. For fun and a little more money I worked a few hours a week for Joe Paterno tutoring the football team in Statistics!

B.S., 1976, Northeastern University in Psychology

I did my first two years of college at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University in Blacksburg, VA

Growing usability staff

Learning about the latest research in our field and conducting my own research

I dabble in jazz. A little bit of jazz piano and lately I've been singing jazz vocals with a local jazz ensemble. I am involved in community theatre. I try my hand at various crafts like beading, soapmaking and baskets when I need to stop thinking. Gourmet cooking is a hobby and I can even make my own sushi. I have one child at home and one in college now, and they are definitely a "special interest" as is my husband Peter. I have been known to study various religions, spirituality, and the mind-body connection. In the past I've even taught classes on chakras and Reiki... I am a "Reiki Master".

Sushi and Indian food.

Humor is very important to me. I like to make people laugh.