Dear ESB members,
In the past, a survey was launched to explore the interest of ESB members to lead or participate in Working Groups that are focused on specific topics within the field of biomechanics. We believe that the formation of Working Groups will enhance the involvement of ESB members in the activities of the society, give visibility to the society on specific challenges in biomechanics, and will enable unique opportunities for collaboration across different groups and countries.
Following a thorough discussion of the survey outcomes by the ESB Council and our members, it is the time to take the next steps and move ahead with forming the first Working Groups!
What is a Working Group?
- This is a community of active ESB members that promotes and/or advances knowledge in a specific area of research within the field of biomechanics. Working Groups should involve coordinators from at least 3 different countries.
- Potential activities of a Working Group include sharing latest developments on a specific topic, proposing standards, identifying challenges, building consensus around complex theoretical, computational and experimental areas, etc.
- The Working Group should have a specific goal and the activities should be aimed at delivering some clear output within a 2-year period. Outputs could include review, perspective, consensus, or white papers. Outputs should be labeled as “ESB Working Group X” and acknowledge the ESB for the support (specific wording to be decided together with the ESB Council).
- The coordinators of the working group should provide a short report at the end of each year with the descriptions of the activities of the Working Group.
- After the 2-year period, the ESB Council will evaluate a potential extension of the Working Group for oneadditional 2-year term.
- The ESB Council will support the Working Groups by providing a point of contact in the ESB Council. The ESB Council will also support financially (with a maximum of €5,000 per year).
To take the next steps, we would like to invite members in good standing to submit a proposal for a specific Working Group:
- You can find all relevant information, including the proposal template, at a dedicated page at the ESB website.
- Please prepare a proposal (maximum 2 pages) with a team of 3-5 ESB members who will act as coordinators. Coordinators should be affiliated to institutions from at least 3 different countries.
- Use the template to explain the motivation for setting up this Working Group, the specific objectives and activities, and how you will use the (financial) support of the ESB.
- Proposals (in PDF format) should be submitted electronically to the Chair of the Webportal and Working Groups committee (scientific.chair@esbiomech.org).
- Deadline for submitting your proposal: May 15, 2025.
Sandra Loerakker
Chair of the WebPortal and Working Groups committee
