Robert W. Bailey

Dr. Bob Bailey has worked in the human factors, ergonomics, usability, user experience field for many years. He has written several books, an annual ‘user interface update’, conducted hundreds of training courses, and consulted with software designers and developers on usability issues throughout the world. He has a Ph.D. from Rice University in Houston, Texas, and has served on the faculties of Columbia University in New York City, and Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey.

In 1970, he joined Bell Laboratories as a ‘human factors engineer’. His group conducted the first usability tests on computer-based systems, and he published one of the first research articles on usability testing at the Human Factors Society conference. He has published over 100 research and technical papers.

His book, Human Performance Engineering, became a best-seller and was revised and updated three times over the next 20-years. In addition, he has published Human Error in Computer Systems, and a series of books entitled Research-Based Web Design and Usability Guidelines.

Through his usability testing, consulting and training company, he continues to teach in-person and online usability courses throughout the world. His website is webusability.com.