Wood Solutions – Theory and Practice is the theme of this year’s Institute of Wood Science (IWSc) annual conference to be held at the Copthorne Hotel, Newcastle upon Tyne on October 9.

There will be three sessions – timber from well-managed forests, timber in practice and timber solutions case studies.

Speakers include Professor Ban Seng Choo, the first director of the new Centre for Timber Enginering at Napier University; Gordon Cowley, managing director of Cowley Structural Timberwork Ltd; Simon Fineman, group chief executive of Timbmet; Roddy Langmuir of Edward Cullinan Architects; Duncan Mayes of Stora Enso Timber Ltd; Rupert Oliver, managing editor of hardwoodmarkets.com; Dr Mark Swenarton of Architecture Today; and Jeremy Wall of the Forest Based Industries Unit at the European Commission.

&#8220Whether you are directly involved in the timber business, or whether you design with, specify or use wood in your professional life, there are many reasons for attending this year’s conference”

IWSc president Jim Coulson

Papers and case studies will include the use of timber in sustainable designs, natural durability and heat treated timber.

IWSc president Jim Coulson said: “Whether you are directly involved in the timber business, or whether you design with, specify or use wood in your professional life, there are many reasons for attending this year’s conference.”