Eye on engagement

Liam Stalker, a Ph.D. student in human factors and industrial/organizational psychology at Wright State, researches eye movement to explore its impact on focus, productivity and efficiency. (Photo by Erin Pence)

Wright State University doctoral student Liam Stalker has his eye on the future — tracking new ways to make work and education more engaging and productive.

His research aims to uncover how attention drives learning and how to use that knowledge to improve education, and training programs and make the workplace a more positive experience.

“The workplace is not going to be the same as relaxing on the beach during vacation, but it does not have to be the worst,” said Stalker, a doctoral student in Wright State’s Human Factors and Industrial/Organizational Psychology program. “There are so many steps we can take to make it less difficult or burdensome on people.”

Stalker’s research blends cognitive science with organizational psychology. Human factors psychology delves into brain functions such as multitasking and decision-making, while industrial/organizational psychology focuses on optimizing workplace practices, including using personality assessments that tap into unique abilities and skill sets, fostering an understanding of human behavior.

His passion for real-world impact is what drew him to this field.

“I wanted to enter a field in which my research would have a quick turnaround between studies and subsequent real-world impact,” he said. “I did not want to wait until I retired to see my work in practice.”

His research uses cutting-edge tools like eye tracking and physiological measurements to detect when learners are fully engaged or losing focus. By analyzing eye movement patterns alongside task performance data, Stalker aims to build robust models that predict engagement in real-time.

“This research aims to develop a framework for real-time monitoring and adaptation of training programs based on students’ engagement levels,” Stalker said. “This critical insight will enable the dynamic customization of training content, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and personalization of the learning experience.”

The potential impact of Stalker’s work is broad, from improving classroom learning to refining training programs in aviation, health care and the military. It builds off his personal interest in enhancing productivity and efficiency.

“Effective training programs not only bolster performance but also elevate safety standards within these critical fields,” he said. “This work is particularly important for training programs with difficulty keeping students engaged.”

Stalker is collecting data for his dissertation this semester and will present his findings to Wright State’s College of Science and Mathematics this summer.

His work has already gained recognition: Last November, he received a scholarship at the Interservice/Industry Training, Simulation, and Education Conference in Orlando, Florida. The conference brought together scientists who presented recent work on training, simulation and education.

Stalker won the scholarship after writing an essay about his passion for these topics and how his dissertation could impact the community by enhancing the learning experience.

Stalker credits Wright State for providing students with numerous paths to explore interests and networking opportunities.

“Students have the unique connections to so many different scientists, engineers and various professionals who are eager to give you an opportunity,” he said. “It is great to shadow others and learn what you like. That is how I discovered what I enjoy doing today. And I do not think that would have just happened randomly.”