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50th IFKT International Conference

Knitting for a Sustainable Future

Tuesday 9 June 2020 to Thursday 11 June 2020, Belfast campus

Introduction

IFKT 2020 is the 50th biennial congress event of the International Federation of Knitting Technologists.

This leading conference in knitting technology and analogous technologies provides an opportunity for both researchers, practitioners and industry to exchange new ideas and practical experiences from a diverse range of knitting expertise.

The role of knitting technology both warp and weft cuts across many fields including fashion, interiors, sport, military, medical, automotive, aerospace, fibre technology, Computer Aided design, smart textiles, and technical textiles.

The theme of sustainability is an essential approach in all that we do, sustaining future practice, being sustainable in design and sustaining our knitting industry.

IFKT 2020 while celebrating its 50th milestone seeks to encourage dialogue and discussion among participants about general topics as well as this year’s special theme.

We invited various types of contributions from researchers, educators, practitioners and industrialists which address the broad spectrum of knitting technology challenges.

Conference Topics

  • Innovation in knitting technology
  • Machine building
  • Functional knitted materials
  • Medical textiles
  • Comfort and Wellbeing
  • Technical Textiles
  • IT Applications
  • CAD/CAM in knitting
  • Simulation and Modelling
  • Fashion Design
  • Finishing treatments of the knitted fabrics
  • New fibres and materials
  • Quality and testing in knitting
  • Marketing and management in knitting
  • Education in knitting

Important Dates

  • 1 February – Abstract submissions
  • 10 February – Author notifications
  • 20 March – Camera Ready Full Versions of the Manuscripts
  • 3 April – Early bird registration deadline
  • 10 April– Reviewer Feedback
  • 1 May – Final versions of all accepted contributions
  • 9 – 11 June Conference event

Download Abstract Template

Join us at the IFKT2020 Gala Evening Event

Wednesday 10 June, 7:30pm to 10:30pm
Titanic Hotel, Belfast 

Titanic Hotel, Belfast
Titanic Hotel, Belfast

Keep up to date with us on social media, search #IFKT2020.

Programme

Times TBC

Tuesday 9th June

Central Board Meeting of IFKT – Room TBC Ulster University, York Street Belfast

TimeActivity
6pm to 7pmRegistration
6:30pm to 7:30pmWelcome meeting at Ulster University, York Street

Wednesday 10th June

TimeActivity
8:30am to 0amRegistration – BA-01-009
9am to 9:30amOpening Ceremony
9:30am to 9:50amKeynote 1
9:50am to 11:10amSession 1
11:10am to 11:40amCoffee and comfort break
11:40am to 1pmSession 2
1pm to 2pmLunch and Poster sessions
2pm to 4pmSession 3
4pm to 4:15pmCoffee and Tea
4:05pm to 4:30pmCentral Board Meeting (Room TBC)
4:30pm to 5:45pmIFKT General Assembly (Room TBC)
7:30pm to 10:30pmConference Dinner at Titanic Hotel, Belfast

Thursday 11th June

TimeActivity
9am to 9:30amRegistration at BA-01-009
9:30am to 11:10amSession 4
11:10am to 11:40amCoffee Break
11:40am to 1:10pmSession 5
1:10pm to 2pmLunch
2pm to end

Afternoon session

Closing Ceremony

Friday 12th June

Optional Trip to the Giants Causeway

Organising Committee

  • Alison Gault
  • Katie Mulholland
  • Sharon Thompson
  • Hazel Bruce
  • Lucy Smyth

Scientific Committee

  • Yordanka Angelova – Technical University, Bulgaria
  • Mirela Blaga - Gheorghe Asachi Technical University of Iaşi, Romania
  • Ellen Bendt - University of Applied Science, Niederrhein, Germany
  • Alison Gault – Ulster University, Northern Ireland
  • Yordan Kyosev – Technical University of Dresden, Germany
  • Arzu Marmarali – Ege University, Turkey
  • Berndt Meyer, IFWS Landessektion Schwiez, Switzerland
  • Elżbieta Mielicka - Textile Research Institute, Poland
  • Zbigniew Mikołajczyk, Łódź University of Technology, Łódź, Poland
  • Shin Woong Park , Inha University, Incheon, South Korea
  • Katarzyna Pieklak – Łódź University of Technology, Łódź, Poland
  • Islam Shamimul, IFKT Section Bangladesh, Bangladesh
  • Eyal Sheffer, Shenkar College of Engineering and Design
  • Zlatko Vrljicak - University of Zagreb, Faculty of Textile Technology, Croatia

Registration

Early Bird Registration – up to and including 3rd April - £330

Regular/late Registration - £360

Accompanying person - £220

Gala Evening Event - £60 (TBC)

Book your place

Venue

Ulster University, Belfast Campus, BT15 1ED.

The conference will take place at Ulster University Belfast Campus.

At the heart of Belfast city centre, and will be hosted by Ulster University.

The venue is in close proximity to the historic Crown Bar, the Belfast City Hall and the Europa Hotel.

Have you heard of C.S. Lewis (author), George Best (Footballer), Seamus Heaney (Poet), Rory McIlroy (Golfer), Liam Neeson (Actor), Geraldine Hughes (Actor), or maybe Lord Kelvin (physicist)?

These are just a few of the well known figures born in Northern Ireland.

And did you know, the ‘Game of Thrones’ is filmed in Northern Ireland – why not take the tour?

If you're interested in ship building, you can visit the world’s largest Titanic attraction (http://titanicbelfast.com).

Belfast is well connected with 2 airports, and given the conference venue is located in the city centre, the attractions and facilities are within walking distance.

See http://www.visitbelfast.com for more information.

Travel and Accommodation

Travel

Flights into:

George Best Belfast City Airport -  4.2 miles/6.75 kilometers

Belfast International Airport – 20 miles/32 kilometers

Dublin Airport – 99 miles/159.5 kilometers

There is a direct bus from Dublin to Belfast every hour.

https://www.aircoach.ie/booking

Accommodation

The following hotels are available to book through our registration portal. Please note that accommodation is not included in the Conference registration fees.

Hilton Belfast City

In the heart of the city centre, beside the ICC Belfast, the Hilton epitomises the lively confidence of the bustling city.

Visit Belfast attractions like the Stormont Parliament Buildings, the Ulster Museum and Belfast Castle. Located beside the ICC Belfast and only minutes from the Odyssey Arena and Victoria Square shopping centre, this Belfast hotel is ideally situated for the conference.

The Hilton Belfast hotel has a business centre and wireless internet access in public areas. From Hilton Rooms up, all Hilton Belfast hotel rooms offer air conditioning and river or mountain views. Executive Room guests enjoy Executive Lounge access and the stunning river-view corner suites overlook the historic Harland & Wolff shipyard, builders of the Titanic.

Ramada by Wyndam

Address: 20 Talbot St, Belfast BT1 2LD

Phone: 028 9026 1800

Relax and explore at our Ramada by Wyndham Belfast hotel in city center near Saint Anne Cathedral. Conveniently located in the heart of town, we offer comfortable, affordable accommodations whether you are with us just one night, or are planning to stay and enjoy the area.

Premier Inn

The Cathedral Quarter was traditionally the home of Belfast's trade associations and warehouses, and still has some of the city's oldest buildings. But a stay at Premier Inn Hotel Belfast Cathedral Quarter puts some distinctly twenty-first century attractions on your doorstep. Come in August and hear some of the latest sounds and bands at the Belsonic Festival. Or December, for a Christmas market that pulls out all the stops. Or in September, for all the fun of over 250 events during Culture Night. Or visit any time of year for world class shopping and fascinating visitor attractions. Then come back to the hotel for mouth-watering food and a lovely comfy bed.

Titanic Hotel Belfast

Situated at the heart of Belfast's Titanic Quarter, the legendary Harland & Wolff Headquarters and Drawing Offices is now the world's most authentic Titanic hotel, offering an unforgettable experience for anyone visiting Northern Ireland on business or for a Belfast city break holiday.

Contact

For more information, contact Alison Gault at ae.gault@ulster.ac.uk.