IX emed scientific meeting 2004 The IX emed scientific meeting was successfully held in Leeds, UK from July 29th - August 1st, 2004. We all had the opportunity to advance our knowledge and understanding of the science and application of pressure distribution measurement. Many thanks to the host, Leeds University, and all the participants for joining us in this year's meeting. Please visit our photo gallery to view the exciting moments of this year's ESM 2004.

Hosts Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease School of Medicine University of Leeds www.leeds.ac.uk www.leeds.ac.uk/medicine/FASTER Organising Committee Dr James Woodburn and Deborah Turner, Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease, University of Leeds Scientific Committee Dr James Woodburn MRC Clinician Scientist Fellow, Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease, University of Leeds Dr Philip Helliwell Senior Lecturer in Rheumatology, Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease, University of Leeds Dr Roger Soames Senior Lecturer, School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Leeds Dr Neil Messenger Senior Lecturer, ULISES (University of Leeds Institute for Sport and Exercise), University of Leeds Dr Nick Harris Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon, Specialist Foot and Ankle Surgeon, General Infirmary at Leeds

Venue Weetwood Hall Otley Road Leeds LS16 5PS West Yorkshire, UK Telephone: 44 (0)113 230 600 Fax: 44 (0)113 230 6095 e-mail: sales@weetwood.co.uk www.weetwood.co.uk Good maps and directions available via website Conference Summary (detailed Timetable) Thursday 29th July Pre-conference learning zone (optional) Friday 30th July Scientific day 1 Saturday 31st July Activity day in the English Lake District Sunday 1st August Scientific day 2 Banquet and Novel awards Oral and poster presentation Awards for the Best Poster and Best Presentation will also be presented. Each award will be to the value of € 1000. Abstracts for oral and poster presentations in the field of pressure distribution measurements not participating in the novel award must be submitted by April 15th, 2004. Participants will be informed of acceptance of presentations by June 1st, 2004. The general abstract instructions to authors can be found here. Please click on 'Guide for Authors' there.

Leeds University

The 2004 ESM is hosted by the Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease in the School of Medicine at the University of Leeds. The University of Leeds is acclaimed world-wide for the quality of its teaching and research. One of the largest universities in the UK, Leeds is also the most popular among students applying for undergraduate courses. An emphasis on innovative research and investment in high-quality facilities and first-rate infrastructure means that no fewer than 35 departments are rated internationally or nationally 'excellent'. Its size and international reputation enables the University to offer one of the widest ranges of academic courses in the UK. During the current academic year over 29,500 students are attached to 670 different first-degree programmes and 330 postgraduate degree programmes. A further 52,000 men and women are enrolled on short courses with the University.

Leeds University Medical School, founded in 1831, provides high quality medical research and education. The Academic Unit of Musculoskeletal Disease conducts research in a wide range of areas including: clinical rheumatology, clinical immunology, immunotherapy, bioengineering and rehabilitation. The unit undertakes a dedicated program of foot and ankle research with special emphasis on the rheumatic diseases, especially rheumatoid arthritis. Much of the work is conducted in the gait analysis lab with access to both novel plate and in-shoe pressure systems. These systems are used for routine clinical assessment and treatment planning and evaluation and for clinical research into the pathomechanics of foot disease in the rheumatic disorders. Dr Jim Woodburn has attended the ESM meetings since Penn State and, along with his co-organiser Debbie Turner, welcomes you to Leeds for the 2004 meeting.