Much of the world around us—our workplaces, products, and public spaces—was never designed with everyone in mind. That oversight can create barriers, limit performance, and even put people at risk. But when ergonomics meets universal design, inclusion becomes innovation.

In this episode of Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast, we hear from two leading voices in human factors and ergonomics: Bobbie Watts, past president of IISE’s Applied Ergonomics Society, and Anuja Patil, current president and risk control director at CNA Insurance.

Together, they unpack how universal design principles are reshaping the way we work, build, and live—from accessible workplaces and flexible production lines to AI-powered safety systems and healthcare environments designed for all.

🔹 Learn how “solving for one benefits many.”
🔹 Discover real-world examples of design that improves performance, safety, and longevity.
🔹 Explore how ergonomics and inclusion fuel innovation in the age of AI.

Whether you’re an engineer, designer, or leader, this episode will change how you think about accessibility, efficiency, and the human side of systems design.

🎙️ October is National Ergonomics Month — celebrate with us by learning how thoughtful design makes work better for everyone.

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Learn more about The Applied Ergonomics Division
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email egrimes@iise.org

What does it mean to design without limits? In this trailer for Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast, past AES president Bobbie Watts and current president Anuja Patil preview their upcoming conversation on how ergonomics and universal design are shaping the workplace of today and tomorrow.

From the curb cut effect to AI-enabled tools, discover how design choices can reduce injuries, improve performance, and expand opportunities for all.
Episode Available October 14.

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Learn more about The Applied Ergonomics Division
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email egrimes@iise.org

What happens when an athlete applies industrial and systems engineering principles to her training?

In this inspiring bonus episode of Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast, Anwaar Zyoud shares how she earned her black belt in just one month, rose to the national team of Jordan, and competed on international stages all while discovering the power of ISE.

By recording, analyzing, and optimizing her performance just like an engineer would, Anwaar transformed challenges into victories and carried that mindset into her professional career. Today, she serves in the office of His Majesty King Abdullah II.

Her story is proof that ISE can open doors everywhere from the arena to the workplace.

Anwaar Zyoud's video, How ISE Wins Fights
Hannah Brook's video, Food Security and Technology: A Moving Picture
All top entries: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLizt3nogHG51F-UxJ1UtMzO6thJ69CUmB
ISE Impact - Short Video Contest Details

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email egrimes@iise.org

What do food security, taekwondo, and industrial engineering have in common?
They’re all part of the stories featured in the ISE Impact Short Video Contest—a creative initiative inviting students and professionals to explain the value of industrial and systems engineering (ISE) in just one minute.

In this episode of Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast, we speak with with Dr. Ana Muriel from UMass Amherst, who helped to spearhead the contest, along with contest winners Hannah Brooks, a nursing student who tackled food security through animated storytelling, and Anwaar Zyoud, an industrial engineer from Jordan who used ISE methods to improve her taekwondo performance.

You’ll hear how these short videos are helping prospective students and the public better understand the power of ISE—and how this field impacts nearly every industry imaginable.

Whether you’re a student, a professional, or just curious about the hidden role of engineering in everyday life, this episode will challenge you to explore and expand your view of what ISE can do.

👉 Subscribe to Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast for more conversations that showcase how industrial and systems engineers solve the world’s toughest problems.

Hannah Brook's video, Food Security and Technology: A Moving Picture
Anwaar Zyoud's video, How ISE Wins Fights
All top entries: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLizt3nogHG51F-UxJ1UtMzO6thJ69CUmB

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email egrimes@iise.org

Many students have never heard of Industrial & Systems Engineering — and even fewer understand the incredible impact it has on the world. This episode of Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast explores a creative solution to that challenge: the ISE Impact Short Video Contest, which invites students and professionals to explain ISE’s value in just 60 seconds.

You'll hear from:

• Dr. Ana Muriel, associate professor at UMass Amherst and co-creator of the contest
• Hannah Brooks, a nursing student who used stop-motion animation to tackle global food security
• Anwaar Zyoud, an industrial engineer who used ISE methods to transform her Taekwondo performance

Together, they show how creativity, storytelling, and problem-solving can inspire the next generation of engineers.

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email egrimes@iise.org

What if the way we think about problems is holding us back from solving them?
Tom Wujec — designer, technologist, and multiple-time TED speaker — joins Problem Solved to explore how visual problem solving can help industrial and systems engineers tackle challenges of every size, from simple process fixes to wicked problems like climate change and AI disruption.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Why traditional problem-solving methods often fail
• The four types of problems — simple, complicated, complex, and wicked — and why they need different approaches
• The power of “plays” — structured, visual activities that align teams and unlock solutions
• How visualization frees up mental bandwidth, builds shared understanding, and drives better decisions
• Five key shifts engineers can make to become better collaborative problem-solvers

Whether you work in manufacturing, healthcare, tech, or supply chain, Tom’s approach will expand your toolkit and transform the way you lead teams through today’s most complex challenges.

Watch this episode on YouTube to see Tom's method's in action!

tomwujec.com

Ted Talks
Build a Tower, Build a Team
Got a Wicked Problem? First, Tell me how you make Toast
Making Ideas Visible
3 Ways the brain creates meaning

"Art Before Breakfast" by Danny Gregory

Sponsor:
This episode is sponsored by IISE’s Performance Excellence Webinars.
Learn from global thought leaders on operational excellence, data analytics, leadership, and more.

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
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Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email egrimes@iise.org

Join us for our conversation with Tom Wujec - designer, technologist and multiple TED speaker known for his work in visual collaboration and wicked problem solving.
-Why do traditional approaches often fail when problems get more complex?
-Tom has shared his visual framework with Fortune 500 companies around the world, and now he shares it with us.

See his visual work unfold in action by watching this episode on YouTube! Or catch it wherever you normally listen to your podcasts.
Episode available on September 15, ISE Day!

Special "thank you" to this episode's sponsor, IISE Performance Excellence Webinars - your chance to boost your career and expand your ISE toolkit. From leadership development, to supply chain resilience, to operational analytics, and more — these sessions help you sharpen your skills and improve your organization. Join thought leaders and practitioners from around the world. Learn more at iise.org/performance-excellence.

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
Problem Solved on YouTube
Problem Solved on Instagram
Problem Solved on TikTok

Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email egrimes@iise.org

Get ready for Season 6 of Problem Solved: The IISE Podcast! This season we're spotlighting human-centered solutions in areas like AI, leadership, and process improvement. You'll hear from TED Talk speaker and innovator, Tom Wujec, Chick-fil-A franchise leader Sam Hartman, young professionals at the start of their ISE journey, and more.

The season kicks of on #ISEDay, September 15 - a global celebration of Industrial & Systems Engineers. Join us to hear how every great solution is a story worth telling!

Learn more about The Institute of Industrial and Systems Engineers (IISE)
Problem Solved on LinkedIn
Problem Solved on YouTube
Problem Solved on Instagram
Problem Solved on TikTok

Problem Solved Executive Producer: Elizabeth Grimes
Interested in contributing to the podcast? Email egrimes@iise.org