Chair’s Message

Joseph Hamill, PhD

In June, 2011,the Footwear Biomechanics Group will hold its 10th Symposium in Tubingen,Germany.  This should be a very excitingsymposium as we hope to draw those interested in footwear biomechanics from anumber of different sources.  This is aconference at which the footwear industry and footwear researchers can meet andappreciate the very latest in research. The symposium Chair is Dr. Stefan Grau. He has already put together a very impressive organization that willensure us of having a first rate conference. Of note, we will award seven prizes for outstanding presentations(including awards for posters).  Theseprizes are sponsored by our industry partners. Stefan has also organized a very interesting social program for those soinclined.  It should be a greatmeeting.  Please check the FBG web sitefor details of the meeting.

In the Spring(northern hemisphere) of 2011, we will be holding elections for a new executiveof FBG.  If you are interested in beingpart of the executive, please send me an e-mail expressing your interest.  We will be electing a new Chair, severalBoard members and a student representative.

            Onanother note, both Stefan and I met with Dr. Chris Nestor of the University of Salford who heads the steering committeeof i-FAB (the International Foot and Ankle Biomechanics group).  Because of the similar interests of the twogroups, we have agreed to have a greater collaboration between i-FAB and FBG.  At our upcoming symposium in Germany, i-FABwill organize a special session devoted to foot and ankle biomechanics.

To end, I wishyou all a very prosperous remainder of 2010 and all of 2011.  I hope you join us in Germany for a very excitingsymposium.