Lift and escalator symposium attracts more than 130 delegates

More than 130 delegates attended the ninth annual Symposium on Lift and Escalator Technologies which was jointly hosted by the University of Northampton.

The conference featured a keynote paper on the concept of Space Elevator (SE) – an alternative vertical transportation concept to access space without the use of the rocket-based space technology. The paper was delivered by Dr Bryan Laubscher of Odysseus Technologies Inc., a member of the Board of Directors of the International Space Elevator Consortium. A day before the conference, Dr Laubscher outlined the concept in a public lecture sponsored by the University.

The public lecture and the conference provided unique opportunities for the broader community in Northamptonshire, students, practitioners and scientists from industry and academia worldwide to network and discuss the latest training, education, research and innovation developments in the industry.

Dr Richard Peters, left, and Professor Stefan Kaczmarczyk

Professor Stefan Kaczmarczyk, from the University and co-chair of the symposium, said: “We were delighted to welcome the public and delegates attending our events. They provided excellent opportunities for the University’s research community to engage with experienced industrial practitioners.”

Dr Richard Peters of the Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers Lifts Group, Visiting Professor at the University and co-chair of the symposium, added: “The symposium was an excellent opportunity for the lift industry experts, academics and postgraduate students to present peer reviewed papers and disseminate their research and innovation.”

The papers presented at the symposium are available to read on the conference website.

The University’s Engineering department stand

The symposium, which was held on 19 and 20 September, was organised by The Lift and Escalator Symposium Educational Trust, a registered charity which involves The University of Northampton, The Chartered Institution of Building Services Engineers and The Lift and Escalator Industry Association.