Jessica Lowry

During my time in my current organisation, I have gained experience in key HF principles such as ergonomic design, human factors safety assessment, the importance of human centred design and defining the operational context to influence design and support safe systems of work in a nuclear environment. Throughout my career so far, I have provided support to a range of business-critical projects with significant nuclear and regulatory consequences.

I have a longstanding personal and professional interest in Neurodiversity and alongside my roles as a developing HF Engineer, I have supported the neurodiversity network as a committee member, as an advisor and as a subject matter expert to the neurodiversity team. As my experience in neurodiversity and HF have developed, the interaction between the disciplines have become clear, therefore, this year, I was tasked with developing a holistic neurodiversity related strategy to ensure neurodivergent employees in our team are adequately supported.

• I am the first author of 'Whose outcome is it anyway? Outcome and Brain Injury Case Management' published in the international scientific journal of Long-Term Care., 2022
• I presented this research at a Brain Injury conference in Nottingham., 2022
• I have recently begun to lead the HF design and safety assessment of a new build facility., 2023
• I completed the Human Factors graduate scheme and was accepted for my substantive role in Central HF., 07/01/22
• I achieved Senior HF Engineer role., 04/01/23
• During a placement as a graduate, I developed a behavioural intervention to reduce carbon emissions generated by business travel, that has become the business travel policy at group wide level.
• I provided support to a site wide crane control system upgrade to improve the ergonomic quality of the crane cabin, controls and displays.
• I am currently supporting the close out of regulatory issues associated with Human Factors.
• Completed Nuclear Plant Foundation Course- Module 1 & 2.
• Completed Plain English training.
• Completed Systems Engineering training.
• Completed Commercial Nous training.

When I’m not working, I love to host events, cook new recipes and bake. I find this a great way to destress but to also feel productive. In my spare time, I like to read new Human Factors research as well as in the neurodiversity field. This has enabled me to continue to develop my knowledge further in both areas and therefore perform better. As my knowledge expands, I have been able to see crossover between the two disciplines. I also like to learn new skills – I am learning British Sign Language and Spanish so that I can communicate with the wider population. I have 4 children, ages ranging 7yo – 16yo, so I mostly play taxi and cheerleader at various school and sporting events outside of work. I also home-educate one of my children due to specific special educational needs and this led to me developing different communication strategies and adapting to different learning styles which are transferable to the working environment as well as providing valuable insight as to how holistic support can improve an individual’s academic, social, emotional, and mental health.