Shawn Doherty

Title
Professor and Program Coordinator for M.S. in Human Factors
Email
Department
Human Factors and Behavioral Neurobiology
College
College of Arts & Sciences

Office Hours

M/W 12:30-2:00 in the office (COAS 401.16), TU 9:30-12:30 via Zoom link (email dohertsh@erau.edu for link), or by appointment

Areas of Expertise

Human Factors
Gaming
Gamification
Virtual Reality
Escape Rooms

Shawn Doherty


Dr. Shawn Doherty is a Professor in the Department of Human Factors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.  His Ph.D. is in applied experimental psychology from the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.  He teaches primarily human factors courses including classes on core human factors processes, research methods, automation, system safety, human-computer interaction, and entertainment systems.  He is a founding member of the Game-Based Education and Advanced Research Simulation (GEARS) Lab at Embry-Riddle and his current research investigates aspects of technology use and video game play involving areas such as gamification, virtual reality, escape rooms, engagement, cheating and ethics, and attention allocation.


  • Ph.D. - Doctor of Philosophy in Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
  • M.A. - Master of Arts in Psychology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

  • HF 300: Human Factors I: Prin & Funds
  • HFS 612: Human Factors Methods
  • HF 310: Human-Computer Interaction
  • HF 399: Special Topics Human Factors

HF 300 - Human Factors I:  Principles and Fundamentals
HF 307 - Human Factors III:  Performance Processes
HF 310 - Human-Computer Interaction
HF 315 - Automation and Systems Issues in Aviation
HF 325 - Human Factors in System Safety
HF 335 - Human Factors in Air Traffic Control
HF 352 - Human Factors in Entertainment Systems
HF 395C - Design with a Human Factors Mind
HF 400 - Human Factors IV: System Design
HF 410 - Human Factors in Crewstation Design

PSY 101 - Introduction to Psychology
PSY 323 - Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 330 - Learning & Motivation
PSY 400 - Introduction to Cognitive Science

HFS 510 - Research Methods
HFS 622 - Human Factors in Entertainment Systems
HFS 630 - Cognitive Systems
HFS 635 - Human-Computer Interaction


  • Doherty, S. M., Griggs, A. C., Lazzara, E. H., Keebler, J. R., Gewertz, B. L., & Cohen, T. N. (2023). Planning an Escape: Considerations for the development of applied escape rooms. Simulation & Gaming.
  • Simonson, R. J., Keebler, J. R., & Doherty, S. M. (2023). The need for recategorized video game labels: A quantitative approach. Game Studies: The International Journal of Computer Game Research.
  • Griggs, A. C., Lazzara, E. H., Doherty, S. M., Keeber, J. R., Gewertz, B. L., & Cohen, T. N. (2022). Unlocking the methodology of escape rooms: Considerations for conducting applied escape rooms in research. Simulation & Gaming.
  • Ward, K. A., Winter, S. R., Cross, D. S., Robbins, J. M., Mehta, R., Doherty, S., & Rice, S. (2020). Safety systems, culture, and willingness to fly in autonomous air taxis: A multi-study and mediation analysis. The Journal of Air Transport Management.
  • Lum, H. C., Hancock, G. M., Doherty, S., & Hughes, A.  (2020).  Doing, Saying, Learning, Playing:  Interactive Activities for Introductory HF/E Courses.  Proceedings of the 64th International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA.
  • Cohen, T. N., Griggs, A. C., Keebler, J. R., Lazzara, E. H., Doherty, S. M., Kanji, F. F., & Gewertz, B. L. (2020). Using Escape Rooms for Conducting Team Research: Development, Considerations, and Challenges. Simulation & Gaming, 1046878120907943.
  • Griggs, A. Cohen, T. N., Lazzara, E. H., Keebler, J. R., & Doherty, S. (2020, March). Escape rooms in healthcare research: A review of the literature. International Symposium on Human Factors and Ergonomics in Health Care, Toronto, Canada.
  • Doherty, S. M., Keebler, J. R., Davidson, S. S., Palmer, E. M, and Frederick, C. M. (2018).  Recategorization of video game genres.  Proceedings of the 2018 International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES
  • Garrett, G. A., Reid, C. R., Jenkins, M., Talbot, T., & Doherty, S. (2018).  Effects of prolonged use of mixed reality systems in occupational settings.  Proceedings of the 2018 International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES.
  • Rice, S., Winter, S.R., Anania, E.C., Tamilselvan, G., & Doherty, S. (2018). Commercial airline pilots' attitudinal data on controlled rest in position: A qualitative inquiry. Collegiate Aviation Review International, 36(2).
  • Doherty, S. M., Palmer, E., & Strater, L. (2017, accepted).  Gamification:  Current research and applications.  Proceedings of the 2017 International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES.
  • Pierce, M. B., Young, P. A., & Doherty, S. M. (2017, accepted).  Engagement and competence in VR and non-VR environments.  Proceedings of the 2017 International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES.
  • Rice, S., Winter, S. R., Doherty, S., & Milner, M. (2017, in press).Advantages and disadvantages of using internet-based survey methods in aviation-related research.Journal of Aviation Technology and Engineering.
  • Liu, D., Peterson, T., Vincenzi, D., and Doherty, S. (2016). Effect of time pressure and target uncertainty on human operator performance and workload for autonomous unmanned aerial system, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 51, 52-58.
  • Doherty, S. M. & Ortiz, Y. (2015).  Gamification of single pilot knowledge acquisition in Prepar3D.  Technical Report SSOW01448.  Daytona Beach:  FL:  Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University.
  • Gascon, J. G., Doherty, S. M., & Liu, D. (2015).  Investigation of videogame flow:  Effects of expertise and challenge.  Proceedings of the 2015 International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES.
  • Lontz, K., Doherty, S. M., & Liu, D. (2015).  Time perception during retrospective and prospective paradigms with a distraction.  Proceedings of the 2015 International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES.
  • Fitzgerald, M., Liu, D., Frederick, C., Ortiz, Y., Via, C.M., Doherty, S., & Kring, J. (2015, June). Modeling human gaming playing behavior and reward/penalty mechanism using discrete event simulation (DES). Proceedings of the 2015 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference. Nashville, TN.
  • Frederick, C.M., Kring, J.K., Doherty, S., Liu, D., Via, C. & Sinagra, M. (2015). Ethical perceptions and actions in gaming.  International Journal of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. 3(3), 49-58.
  • Doherty, S. M., Liskey, D., Via, C. M., Frederick, C., Kring, J. P., & Liu, D. (2014).  An analysis of expressed cheating behaviors in video games.  Proceedings of the 2014 International Annual Meeting of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES.
  • Liu, D., Reynolds, C. , Vincenzi, D. and Doherty, S.(2013), Effect of Pilot and Air Traffic Control Experiences and Automation Management Strategies on Unmanned Aircraft Systems Mission Task Performance, Human Factors and Ergonomics in Manufacturing & Service Industries, 23(5), 424-435, DOI: 10.1002/hfm.20330.
  • Frederick-Recascino, C., Liu, D., Doherty, S., & Kring, J. (2013, July). Articulating an experimental model for the study of game-based learning. In Proceedings of Information and Interaction for Learning, Culture, Collaboration and Business, 15th International Conference, HCI International 2013, Part III (Vol 8018) (pp. 25-32). doi: 10.1007/978-3-642-39226-9_4.
  • Blickensderfer, E. L., Strally, S., & Doherty, S.  (2012).  The effects of scenario-based training on pilots’ use of an emergency, whole-plane parachute. International Journal of Aviation Psychology, 22(2), 184-202.
  • Jaramillo, M., Liu, D., Doherty, S., Vincenzi, D., Tang, Y. & Archer, J., (2012).  Effects of Reliability and Uncertainty on Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Operator Performance under High Time Pressure,  Proceedings of the 2012 Industrial and Systems Engineering Research Conference, G. Lim and J. W. Herrmann(eds), May 19-23, Orlando, Florida.
  • Liu,D., Peterson,T., Vincenzi,D.,and Doherty, S. (2011), Effect of Time Pressure and Task Uncertainty on Operator Performance for UAV Missions, Proceedings of the 2011 Industrial Engineering Research Conference, Reno, Nevada.
  • Liu, D., Solomon, D., Doherty, S. and Hardy, L.(2011). Classifying Injuries Occurrence in Motor-Vehicles Collisions Using Artificial Neural Network, Proceedings. of the Human Factors and Ergonomics Society 55th Annual Meeting, Red Rock Hotel, Las Vegas, Nevada, September 19-23, 2011.
  • Reynolds, C., Liu, D., & Doherty, S. (2010).  Effect of operator experience and automation strategies on autonomous aerial vehicle task performance.  Published in the Proceedings of the  2010 Applied Human Factors and Ergonomics Conference, Miami, Florida.
  • Doherty, S. M., & French, J. (2007).  A comparison of technological systems to enhance night flight landings.  Published in the Proceedings of the 14th Annual International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, Dayton, OH.
  • Doherty, S. M., & Macchiarella, N. D. (2007).  Refinement of a flight training device virtual environment for ab-initio pilot training.  Published in the Proceedings of the 14th Annual International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, Dayton, OH.
  • O’Connell, J. G., Doherty, S. M., & Wilson, I. A.  (2007).  Comparison of three subjective workload metrics for a free flight environment.  Published in the Proceedings of the 14th Annual International Symposium on Aviation Psychology, Dayton, OH.
  • Macchiarella, N. D., Arban, P. K., & Doherty, S. M. (2006).  Transfer of training from flight training devices to flight for ab-initio pilots.  International Journal of Applied Aviation Studies, 6(2), 299-314.
  • Doherty, S. M., & French, J.  (2005).  An evaluation of the SmartDeck Flight Display on pilot performance and workload.  Technical Report ERAU-HFS-05-01/SESATS-05-01.  Daytona Beach FL:  Southeast SATS Lab Consortium.
  • French, J., & Doherty, S. M.  (2005).  A comparison of night vision alternatives to improve the safety of landing at uncontrolled airports at night.  Technical Report ERAU-HFS-05-02/SESATS-05-2.  Daytona Beach FL:  Southeast SATS Lab Consortium.
  • Faust, J. C. & Doherty, S. M. (2005).  The opto-kinetic cervical reflex observed in pilots viewing a synthetic vision display and electronic attitude indicator.  Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES.
  • St. Cyr, S., Goings, M., Doherty, S., & Hall, S. (2005).  The effects of cognitive functioning on strategic system engineering.  Proceedings of the 49th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES.
  • Fitzpatrick, W., & Doherty, S. M., (2004).  Copious electronic text on small screen interfaces:  A new method of displaying emails on cell phones.  Proceedings of the 48th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES.
  • Hall, S., Doherty, S., French, J., & Landa, L. (2004).  Single-pilot performance/Synthetic vision system study report.  Technical Report ERAU-HFS 03-1.  Daytona Beach, FL:  Southeast SATS Lab Consortium.
  • Hall, S. M., Doherty, S. M., & Mion, A. (2004).  Advanced display technology effects on flight error and workload in average-time pilots.  Proceedings of the 48th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES.
  • Wilson, E. L., & Doherty, S. M. (2004).  Slant angle and visual perspective in touch screen interface displays.  Proceedings of the 48th Annual Meeting of the Human Factors & Ergonomics Society.  Santa Monica, CA:  HFES.


Human Factors & Ergonomics Society, Member;
     Technical Groups:  Education, Extended Reality
American Psychological Association, Member
Omicron Delta Kappa National Leadership Honor Society, Member


2023 Professor of the Year, ERAU Human Factors Department

2017 Professor of the Year, ERAU Human Factors Department

2017 Tej Gupta Outstanding Teaching Faculty Award, ERAU Daytona Beach

2015 Professor of the Year, ERAU Human Factors Department

2013 James E. Lewis Outstanding Service Faculty Award, ERAU Daytona Beach