Affinity groups offer vital mutual support and a sense of community to advance the non-political, affinity-related interests of those involved in HF/E. These groups may focus on aspects such as gender, ethnicity, national origin, veteran status or other characteristics. There is no cost to become a member of an HFES affinity group and non-HFES members are welcome to join. Account login required.
Affinity Groups serve as an extension of HF/E's commitment to community, diversity and inclusion, aiming to enhance inclusivity within the profession and contribute to scientific advancements addressing longstanding societal challenges.
Affinity groups provide a dedicated platform for fostering community, mentoring, and support based on shared identities. They prompt our profession to engage more deeply and thoughtfully with dimensions of personal identification, thereby enriching the application and understanding of HF/E principles.
The following affinity groups are currently organized and any member may opt in to any of them by navigating to the applicable community and clicking the “Join” button.
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HFE WOMAN
The HFE Woman Group is dedicated to celebrating diversity within the society, specifically by creating an informal setting where issues related to women can be discussed. In doing this, we aim to facilitate networks where mentorship and networking with women of the society can occur so that future leaders receive the development they need.
HFE WOMAN Community Forum
LGBTQ+
The LGBTQ+ Affinity Group exists to better serve our members who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, gender non-conforming and their allies and supporters. This HFES affinity group has three objectives:
- To promote diversity, inclusion and equity for the queer community within the Society,
- To foster community between HFES members through welcoming events (at conferences and symposia), and
- To better our world through outreach activities with HFES’ partners and associated institutions.
LGBTQ+ Community Forum
Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC)
The Black, Indigenous, People of Color (BIPOC) Affinity Group is committed to creating a community within the Society to connect thought leaders, senior managers, mid-career/young professionals and students that identify as BIPOC – including Black, Indigenous, Asian, Latinos and Hispanics across the globe – to enhance the recruitment, retention and professional growth of BIPOC in the HF/E field. We welcome non-BIPOC committed to use their position to serve as advocates for improving diversity equity and inclusion for BIPOC.
BIPOC Website | BIPOC Community Forum
Disability/Chronic Illness (DCI)
K-HFES (Korean Affinity Group)
The K-HFES, the Korean Affinity Group, will promote contributions of researchers and practitioners to the fields of HF/E. It will foster diversity in the HF/E fields through more vibrant collaboration and communication among researchers and practitioners in the K-HFES as well as other affiliated organizations.
K-HFES Website | K-HFES Community Forum
Why Join an Affinity Group? Why Does It Matter?
HFES supports and celebrates the diversity of the students, practitioners, educators, researchers and others who engage in the profession of HF/E and the stakeholders who benefit from their practice. We are committed to diversity, equity and inclusion across the broad range of human characteristics. HFES affinity groups can serve as a safe space for open discussion and idea sharing across and within groups that have been historically underrepresented.
All interested persons, regardless of Society membership level, may participate in any affinity group.
Members of the Society interested in forming a new affinity group may file a petition with the Council of Affinity Groups. HFES staff will be pleased to provide details concerning the process.