AN international conference on the science and societal impacts of defective concrete blocks is due to take place at the Clanree Hotel, Letterkenny today from 1.30pm to 10.00pm.
Ulster University, ATU and MEP Luke “Ming” Flanagan of The LEFT in the European Parliament, will co-host the conference.
The organising committee for this initiative includes Professor Paul Dunlop (Research Director for Geography and Environmental Sciences, Ulster University), Dr Eileen Doherty (Lecturer in Digital Transformation, Ulster University) and Joseph Morgan (Director of Engineering, Druva), all of whom have been actively involved in researching various aspects of this important societal issue.
Leading international experts in geology, earth sciences and engineering who research the impacts of deleterious minerals on concrete from Canada, the USA, Switzerland, Norway and Ireland will be attending the conference.
Other researchers from a wide range of disciplines including Business and Psychology as well as a range of community stakeholders will also be presenting on their experiences and proposed research on the wider societal impacts of living with defective concrete.
The conference incorporates a number of key sessions that includes roundtable discussions with key stakeholders and government representatives.
The sessions on the day include a multidisciplinary session investigating the wider societal impacts of defective concrete, a session on the science of deleterious geological minerals and their destructive impacts on concrete and a session on EU engagement with the issue of Irish defective concrete and how homeowners and legislators deal with the issue in the USA.
Speaking to the Donegal News, Lisa Hone, Chair of Mica Action Group said this conference is really unique.
“The crème de la crème of experts in defective concrete from all over the world will be attending to speak about their own research insights into defective concrete as well as learn more about the defective blocks issue in Ireland. The conference is essential so further research can be done so we can really understand what is going on and get to the bottom of it.
“I would urge anyone affected to come along and a live stream of the conference is also available,” she said.
The event will be live streamed on Youtube and via the Facebook page ‘The Science and Societal Impacts of Defective Concrete’.
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