Lecterns have been a feature of public speaking for centuries. Research in the International Journal of Human Factors and Ergonomics has developed a new design based around body measurements and working patterns of university instructors to reduce postural health risks linked to work-related musculoskeletal disorders. Lecturers rated it easier to use than conventional lecterns, the study reports.
Work-related musculoskeletal disorders include injuries affecting muscles, joints and tendons that develop or worsen through workplace activities. University instructors are particularly susceptible because teaching often combines prolonged standing, computer work, and sustained awkward postures that can contribute to neck, shoulder and lower back pain.
The researchers recruited 34 instructors and first analysed how they used conventional lecterns. They then built a prototype for a new type of lectern based on anthropometric data, measurements of human body size and proportions collected.
The team assessed posture using the Rapid Entire Body Assessment (REBA), an ergonomic tool that estimates the risk of injury from working posture, movement, and force. Lower scores indicate lower risk and less need for corrective action. Instructors using the new lectern achieved a REBA score of 3, compared with 4 for conventional lecterns, indicating a reduced ergonomic risk. They also applied the System Usability Scale (SUS), a standard questionnaire that rates how easy and effective a product is to use. The ergonomic lectern achieved an average score well above that obtained for conventional lecterns.
Naserabadi, S.R., Nejad, N.H., Karamoozian, A. and Mohammadian, M. (2026) ‘A user-centred ergonomic redesign of a university lectern significantly mitigates postural risk and enhances usability: evidence from REBA and SUS assessments’, Int. J. Human Factors and Ergonomics, Vol. 13, No. 1, pp.1–17.
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