Prof. Caldwell has directed and led the GROUPER Lab for over 30 years as a faculty innovator and pioneer in cognitive human factors. GROUPER work emphasizes the study of “how people get, share, and use information… well”.
In 1992, Prof. Caldwell and two of his first graduate students published conference papers addressing social, technological, and organizational impacts of “new electronic communication systems”, including hypothesized “advanced computer group interaction with audio” (prior to the release of web browsers or broadband internet services).
Thirty years, and over 30 MS and 20 PhD degrees later, GROUPER continues to address individual and team cognitive performance in settings including aviation, healthcare, humanitarian response, spaceflight, and university operations. GROUPER alumnae and alumni have demonstrated success in government and industry positions, and contribute to academic, policy, and technical scholarship. A small, dedicated, and interdisciplinary group of graduate and undergraduate students continues this tradition of exploration, innovation, and integration.