French speaking ergonomics and its pioneers

This article is based on a previous study (2021) that analyzed 77 interviews conducted by the “ergonomics history” committee of the French-Speaking Ergonomics Society (SELF). Drawing on the careers and the professional experiences of the interviewees, the paper presents the emergence and development of French-speaking ergonomics, according to occupational identity theories, so as to identify the combinations of factors which may account for the emergence and recognition of this new discipline. In particular, the article examines the titles of the discipline and of the profession of ergonomics, the autonomy and differentiation of ergonomics from its parent disciplines, the establishment of specialized training courses, as well as the development and structuring of the discipline.