EUPA/HCI2002: Accreditation Panel takes Next Step

This EUPA panel session discussed the 'thorny' topic of accreditation and the activities undertaken so far by the working group formed to 'investigate whether certification is viable at this point in the development of this profession and, if so, how it might work'.

The panel consisted of Jonathan Earthy (Lloyds Register, BHCIG Accreditation Scheme), Nigel Bevan (Serco Usability Services, UKUPA Professional Development) and Caroline Jarrett (Effortmark, UPA). They began with an interesting presentation of what the working committee have achieved so far including a summary from the meeting in Salt Lake City where the working group met late last year with representatives of other bodies interested in accreditation (see UN story UK leads the way in designing international usability accreditation). It is worth mentioning that there are separate accreditation initiatives in the US (UPA) and UK (BHCIG and UKUPA). UK interest in the UPA work was that it presented a potential stop-gap with some degree of international coverage. The core problem in accreditation of usability professionals is the lack of a representative professional body

The panel then discussed the results of the survey taken to elicit members' opinions and suggestions with regard to certification.

The audience consisted of a small (12 people) but interested group from a variety of backgrounds: academics, usability professionals, and employers. With the help of Steve Draper, who was pioneering a way of anonymous voting in meetings using software, projectors and infra red handsets, the audience were invited to discuss and vote on various issues relating to certification.

The first issue raised considered whether the audience thought it valuable to continue with some form of accreditation despite the reservations raised earlier. Eleven out of the twelve voted in favour of continuing with the scheme in whatever form that may take.

The meeting finished with individuals declaring whether they wished to participate in further discussions and indicating how they might be able to help the working group. Only half felt they were able to commit time to supporting the initiative, suggesting that progress in this area will continue to be slow, though new volunteers may appear as the work moves under the auspices of the newly formed Education and Practice BHCIG strategy group (E&PSG).

The UPA has produced a list of activities necessary to the development of accreditation. The services offered by the BHCIG in some part already address these activities and could contribute to them (through support from the E&PSG). A liaison was proposed.


Jonathan Matthews, University of Sussex, with additional reporting by Jonathan Earthy and Ann Light

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