Academic Staff

Short Description

Dr Wesley Tsz-Kin Chan is a Lecturer in the Department of Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University. His research specialises in the effects of culture on human factors, training design, and safety management. He earned his PhD from Cranfield University, where he examined the determinants of culture in diverse groups and their practical consequences for safety investigation and training design. He also holds an MSc in Aviation Human Factors from Coventry University. Dr Chan’s work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and has been presented to leading industry groups including the US Federal Aviation Administration, the Chartered Institute of Ergonomics and Human Factors, and the International Society of Air Safety Investigators. He also serves as a specialist on the Asian Society of Air Safety Investigators’ Human Factors Working Group.

Dr Chan has over 15 years of experience as a pilot, primarily on Boeing 747 and 777 types. He is also an instructor and course developer for Crew Resource Management and Multi-Crew Cooperation training for both flight and cabin crew, as well as Maintenance Resource Management training for certifying engineering staff. Prior to joining The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, he lectured on Human Factors, Aviation Research, and Aviation Law at the University of South Australia, and Aviation Human Factors at RMIT University, Australia. He is also a frequent presenter on Cranfield University’s industrial training courses on safety and accident investigation.

Areas of Specialisation

• Flight crew training
• Crew Resource Management and Non-Technical Skills training
• Human factors analysis
• Accident and incident investigation
• Safety management systems

Publications

Journal Articles

1. Chan, W. T.-K., Li, W.-C., Yuen, R., & Wang, T. (2025) ‘Creating more viable safety recommendations in accident investigation by revising the human factors intervention matrix (HFIX)’. International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 107, Article 103743. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2025.103743
2. Chan, W. T.-K., Li, W.-C., & Braithwaite, G. (2025). 'Pilots’ training backgrounds affecting the attribution of event causal factors and airline safety management'. Journal of Air Transport Management, 125, Article 102786. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jairtraman.2025.102786
3. Chan W.T.-K., Li, W.-C. (2023) ‘Development of effective human factors interventions for aviation safety management’. Frontiers in Public Health, 11, Article 1144921. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1144921
4. Chan WT, Li, W.-C. (2022) ‘Investigating professional values among pilots, cabin crew, ground staff, and managers to develop aviation safety management systems’, International Journal of Industrial Ergonomics, 92, Article 103370. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ergon.2022.103370
5. Chan, W. T.-K., & Harris, D. (2019). ‘Third-Culture Kid Pilots and Multi-Cultural Identity Effects on Pilots' Attitudes’. Aerospace medicine and human performance, 90(12), 1026–1033. https://doi.org/10.3357/AMHP.5397.2019

Conference Papers & Industry Reports

1. Chan W.T.-K., Li, W-C. (2026) ‘Improving the Safety Risk Matrix by Considering Cross-Cultural Risk Perception Using HFACS Methodology’. In: Li, WC., Plioutsias, A. (eds) Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics. HCII 2026. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 16707. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-032-29456-2_10
2. Chan W.T.-K., Li, W.-C., Nichanian A, Manikath E. (2024) ‘Evaluating cause-effect relationships in accident investigation using HFACS-DEMATEL’. In: Harris, D., Li, WC. (eds) Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14693. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60728-8_3
3. Wang, Y., Li, WC., Nichanian, A., Korek, W.T., Chan, W.TK. (2024). ‘Future Flight Safety Monitoring: Comparison of Different Computational Methods for Predicting Pilot Performance Under Time Series During Descent by Flight Data and Eye-Tracking Data’. In: Harris, D., Li, WC. (eds) Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14693. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60731-8_22
4. Nichanian, A., Li, WC., Korek, W.T., Wang, Y., Chan, W.TK. (2024). ‘Self-organising Maps for Comparing Flying Performance Using Different Inceptors’. In: Harris, D., Li, WC. (eds) Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14693. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60731-8_8
5. Harris, D., Chan, W., Chatzi, A., et al. (2024). ‘Report of the Working Group to Identify Future Challenges Faced by the Implementation of Resource Management in Remote and Distributed Teams’. In: Harris, D., Li, WC. (eds) Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics. HCII 2024. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14692. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-60728-8_15
6. Chan W., Li, W-C. (2023) ‘Perception of causal factors in flight operations between ab-initio and expatriate pilots’. In: Proceedings of the 2023 7th International Conference on Transportation Information and Safety (ICTIS), 4-6 August 2023, Xi'an, China. https://ieeexplore.ieee.org/document/10243970/
7. Chan W.T.-K.., Li, W.-C. (2023) ‘A comparative evaluation of human factors intervention approaches in aviation safety management’. In: Harris, D., Li, WC. (eds) Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics. HCII 2023. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 14017. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-35389-5_3
8. Chan W., & Li, W.-C. (2022) ‘Challenges and Solutions from Accident Investigators’ Different Professional Backgrounds Related to Data Collection and Interpretation’. Paper presented at the International Society of Air Safety Investigators Annual Seminar 2022, held in Brisbane, Australia, 30 Aug – 1 Sept 2022.
9. Chan W. T.-K., & Li W.C. (2022) ‘Cultural Effects on the Selection of Aviation Safety Management Strategies’. In: Harris D., Li WC. (eds) Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics. HCII 2022. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 13307. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-06086-1_18
10. Chan, W. (2021) ‘Multiculturalism & Safety Culture: Pilot attitudes, behaviours & training needs’. In Together We Fly: Seeing Unseen Risks to Aviation Safety and its Workforce. Ed by Ram, A. & Chan, W. Chrous Aviation Inc. 9-10
11. Chan W. T.-K., & Li W.C. (2021) ‘Training for Future Investigators: Understanding Cultural Effects on Standardisation and International Cooperation’. Paper presented at the International Society of Air Safety Investigators Annual Seminar 2021, held virtually, 30 Aug – 2 Sept 2021.
12. Chan W. T.-K., & Li W.C. (2021) ‘Culture’s Consequences on the Categorisation of Causal Factors in Aviation Accident Reports’. In: Harris D., Li WC. (eds) Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics. Cognition and Design. HCII 2021. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 12767. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-77932-0_2
13. Chan, W. T.-K., & Li, W.C. (2021). ‘Consideration of Cultural Differences in Future Workplace Design for Single Pilot Operations’. In Charles, R. & Golightly, D. (eds), Contemporary Ergonomics & Human Factors 2021 (pp. 64–71). Chartered Institute of Ergonomics & Human Factors. https://publications.ergonomics.org.uk/uploads/04_31.pdf
14. Chan W. T.-K., & Li W.C. (2020) ‘Assessing Professional Cultural Differences Between Airline Pilots and Air Traffic Controllers’. In: Harris D., Li WC. (eds) Engineering Psychology and Cognitive Ergonomics. Cognition and Design. HCII 2020. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, vol 12187. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-49183-3_19

Popular Press / General Audience

1. Chan, W. (2017) ‘自費學飛有前途’ [A career guide for self-funded flight training]. In 翹首振翅. Ed by Tong, V. Hong Kong: Economic Times Press, 39-43
2. Chan, W. (2017) ‘駕駛水上飛機的領悟’ [Seaplane flying principles]. In 翹首振翅. Ed by Tong, V. Hong Kong: Economic Times Press, 96-99