Dr Margaret Crichton, managing director of People Factor Consultants (PFC), specialists in technical and non-technical workplace safety and performance, has been awarded the title of Visiting Professor at Robert Gordon University (RGU).
Appointed in recognition of her expertise and professional achievements in the industry, Dr Crichton’s three year tenure with the university’s Faculty of Health and Social Care begins this month.
Working in partnership with RGU, Dr Crichton’s work with the university will focus upon its Dynamic Advanced Responsive Training Simulator (DART® simulation suite), and will draw upon her knowledge and experience of psychology and human factors in the workplace.
In her role at PFC, chartered psychologist Dr Crichton works primarily with high hazard organisations to offer global consultancy and training services in non-technical skills, and is widely published in academic and practitioner press.
Dr Crichton said: “It is a privilege to have been awarded the title of Visiting Professor at Robert Gordon University. In high hazard environments, such as those simulated by DART, safety is always the highest priority and non-technical skills such as decision making, stress management and situation awareness are crucial to that safety culture.
“I look forward to working in partnership with RGU on the essential combination of technical and non-technical skills, which are fundamental to workplace safety and optimum performance.”
Professor Valerie Maehle, Dean of RGU’s Faculty of Health and Social Care, said: “We have a particular interest in the health and wellbeing of the workforce and in particular the factors that affect resilience and performance. We are therefore delighted that Dr Margaret Crichton, an expert in human factors will be joining us as a Visiting Professor.
“We will be collaborating with Margaret to develop and deliver our portfolio of courses on human factors to ensure that they are cutting edge and fit for purpose for a range of work-based setting. In particular, the inclusion of human factors as a theme within our DART drilling simulation provision will ensure attendees gain maximum benefit from their experience.”
As providers to a substantial number of the world’s leading oil and gas companies, PFC offers a portfolio of 15 technical and non-technical training courses, many of which are City & Guilds-accredited, as well as providing tailored training and consultancy services to high hazard industries on a worldwide basis. PFC leads the way in ensuring that all industries comprehend the importance of complementary technical and non-technical skills training.