We’re delighted as David Standingford, our founder and co-director, is named as the 7th Chairperson of ERCOFTAC (European Research Community on Flow, Turbulence and Combustion). This appointment reflects David’s standing within the computational fluid dynamics community and commitment to strengthening the connections between industry and academia. David brings decades of sector experience to this leadership role, following in the footsteps of distinguished academics who have guided the organisation since its founding in 1988.
ERCOFTAC’s impact and influence
ERCOFTAC has spent over three decades delivering value to the fluid dynamics community through specialist groups, workshops, conferences, training courses and publications, all underpinned by a network of pilot centres that provide national focus. Together, these deliver global and local expertise, positioning the organisation as a cornerstone of collaborative research and knowledge exchange in our field.
As he takes on the challenge of the next chapter, David would like to express thanks to his predecessor, Professor Dominic von Terzi, for his successful leadership over the past six years. Dominic’s tenure saw ERCOFTAC through one of the most challenging periods in recent history, navigating the global COVID-19 pandemic whilst updating governance structures, launching new Special Interest Groups and Pilot Centres, and promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion within the fluid dynamics community.
The future of fluid dynamics
But the landscape is shifting rapidly. Industrial challenges are evolving, research priorities are changing, and the tools at our disposal are transforming at an unprecedented pace. The rapid evolution of computer hardware and new computational paradigms makes the production and analysis of data more affordable and accessible than ever before.
The emergence of AI and machine learning is opening up entirely new approaches to problems that have long challenged researchers. Meanwhile, digital reach and social media have changed how we communicate, collaborate and share knowledge.
Relevance for the fluid dynamics community
David’s vision for ERCOFTAC centres on relevance and ensuring the organisation continues to serve all its stakeholders effectively now and for future generations.
- For industry, this means creating spaces to express real-world challenges and collaborating with the research community to address them.
- For researchers, it’s about tackling new questions and ensuring ERCOFTAC stays at the forefront of scientific priorities.
- For policy-makers, ERCOFTAC acts as a trusted resource, providing expert evidence and guidance on matters where fluid dynamics expertise is critical, from energy and climate policy to transport and environmental regulation.
Our co-founder, David Standingford, said:
“Those who work in fluid dynamics embrace curiosity, complexity, and challenge. ERCOFTAC’s success lies in bringing that community together. Great things happen when real-world challenges meet research excellence, and I aim to ensure ERCOFTAC remains a bridge between industrial challenges and academic expertise, fostering an exchange that benefits every member. I’m honoured to help shape this community’s future at such a pivotal moment in fluid dynamics.”
This appointment is a testament to David Standingford’s and Zenotech’s standing in the field and our ongoing commitment to advancing computational fluid dynamics. We’re excited about David’s contribution to the wider community while continuing to lead on innovation for our clients.
Find out more about ERCOFTAC membership options.
