28 July 2008

Major conference for Institute of Motion Analysis & Research

The University of Dundee’s Institute of Motion Analysis and Research (IMAR) is welcoming experts from all over the world for a major conference in the city this week.

The Institute has seen off strong international competition to host the ESM 2008 Conference on Dynamic Load Distribution in Biomechanics.

Around 120 experts will attend the conference, which looks at the latest advances in the study of body weight distribution and the effect it has on the feet and joints.

IMAR is one of the world’s leading centres in the field and Professor Rami Abboud, Head of the Institute, is delighted to be hosting the ESM event.

"It is quite a coup to host the conference," he said. "It was held in Leeds in 2004 and I never expected it to come back to the UK so quickly. Other places including the United States were very keen to host it so it is very significant for IMAR to be selected.

"We already have an excellent international reputation in biomechanics and motion analysis and this conference will raise our profile even higher."

The conference features an impressive list of keynote speakers including Professor Sue Black, Head of the Centre for Anatomy and Human Identification at the University of Dundee.

Other speakers include Professor Mark Taylor, Professor of Bioengineering Science at Southampton University, Professor James Woodburn, Professor of Rehabilitation Studies at Glasgow Caledonian University and Professor Mark Cornwall, Chair of the Department of Physical Therapy and Athletic Training at North Arizona University.

Delegates start arriving in Dundee today (Monday July 29th) for initial workshops before the main conference which runs from Tuesday to Thursday this week.

University Principal Sir Alan Langlands will welcome delegates at the official opening of the conference proceedings at 9 am on Tuesday July 29th.

Further information on the conference and the scientific presentations is available at www.novel.de/ESM2008/

For media enquiries contact:
Roddy Isles
Head of Press
University of Dundee
Nethergate Dundee, DD1 4HN
TEL: 01382 384910
E-MAIL: r.isles@dundee.ac.uk