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About

Iris Kong is a pioneering researcher at the intersection of human-centered computing and smart manufacturing, with a core focus on integrating human factors into the Internet of Production. Her seminal work, "Human Digital Shadow: Data-based Modeling of Users and Usage in the Internet of Production" (2021, 30 citations), challenges the prevailing technocentric paradigm by introducing a framework that models human actors—their behaviors, contexts, and interactions—as integral components of digital shadows. This contribution redefines how production systems can leverage aggregated, linked, and abstracted data to account for human agency, bridging a critical gap between automation and user-centric design. By emphasizing the role of humans as active participants rather than passive operators, Kong’s research has influenced the development of adaptive, data-driven manufacturing environments that prioritize usability and worker well-being. Her work stands out for its interdisciplinary approach, merging insights from human-computer interaction, data science, and industrial engineering. With growing recognition in the field, Kong is shaping the next generation of intelligent production systems that are not only efficient but also inclusive and responsive to human needs.