Grant: Collaborative Research and Training Experience

The NSERC CREATE program in Product Design for Human Comfort (PDHC) is set to revolutionize researchand training in Canada by integrating the physical, physiological, and psychological aspects of human comfort into engineering product design practice. This interdisciplinary, user-centric approach aims to enhance product acceptance and improve user experiences across various consumer industries, spanning soft goods like apparelsand personal care items to hard goods such as furniture, electronics, and sporting equipment, as well as construction materials and home components like windows. PDHC has garnered substantial support from a diverse group of industrial collaborators committed to providing120 internships for Highly Qualified Personnel and actively contributing to course and workshop development. This collaboration ensures the program remains closely aligned with real-world industry needs. At its core, PDHC represents a paradigm shift in how we perceive human comfort, transcending traditional research boundaries. Graduates will possess the skills to seamlessly incorporate comfort-focused methodologies into product design processes, making them highly sought-after professionals in roles like comfort designer, UX researcher, textile engineer, quality engineer, interior designer, consumer psychologist, and environmental health technologist, among others. Optimal human functioning and user experience hinge on individuals experiencing comfort from their surrounding environment and the products they interact with. The program includes core courses such as "Human Comfort Fundamentals" and "Product Design for Human Comfort," supplemented by elective data science courses to meet industry demands. Professional skill development is emphasized through workshops covering entrepreneurship, inclusive design, communication, and intercultural foundations. Mentoring plays a fundamental role in PDHC's success, with trainees benefiting from guidance bymulti-departmental faculty and industry mentors, fostering a supportive and collaborative learning environment.