The 1st Faringdon Symposium
The 1st Faringdon Symposium
Sensing the Impact
15 May 2026
5 June 2026
19 June 2026
Non-Destructive Testing, Remote Sensing, Computational Modelling, Immersive Technologies, Built Environment, Climate Resilience, Community Engagement, Multi-modal Sensing, Structural Health Monitoring
Welcome from the Chair
Dear Colleagues,
On behalf of the Organising Committee, we are pleased to welcome you to The 1st Faringdon Symposium – Sensing the Impact (FARSY 2026), which will be held on June 25, 2026.
This symposium serves as an open forum for the exchange of ideas and the presentation of research findings across the diverse fields of sensing, computing, and engineering. The event is proudly hosted by The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, providing a platform for researchers, practitioners, and participants to engage in peer-to-peer learning and foster collaborations within an evolving scientific landscape.
The work presented here integrates the rigour of core sciences, including Non-Destructive Testing (NDT), Remote Sensing, and Immersive Technologies, with their practical applications. Through community engagement and a consistent dialogue with external stakeholders, we seek to investigate how high-level technical findings can be effectively utilised to address contemporary challenges and deliver meaningful impact.
We anticipate stimulating discussions on a range of topics, including, but not limited, to the following:
S1. Immersive Technologies & Community Engagement: Enhancing data communication through digital interfaces and interactive frameworks.
S2. Sustainability & Climate-Adaptive Infrastructure: Utilising observation technologies and nature-based strategies for environmental resilience.
S3. Integrated Sensing for Built Assets & Infrastructure: Advancing the diagnostic monitoring of critical assets through multi-modal and integrated systems.
S4. Sensing for Heritage & Environmental Risk: Assessing vulnerabilities to ensure the long-term preservation of cultural and natural sites.
We look forward to an engaging day of scientific discourse, concluding with a ceremony to recognise outstanding contributions to the field.
Sincerely,
Prof. Dr. Fabio Tosti
On behalf of: The 1st Faringdon Symposium Event Committee
Event Organizers
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing
Faringdon.centre@uwl.ac.uk
Event Chair
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Prof. Dr. Fabio Tosti is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of West London (UWL) and Director of "The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing." He received his M.Sc. and Ph.D. (European Doctorate Label) from Roma Tre University, Italy. A registered Chartered Engineer, his research focuses on non-destructive testing (NDT), satellite remote sensing, and geoscience applications for civil infrastructure, green assets, and heritage conservation. With over 260 publications, Prof. Tosti has received numerous accolades, including the 2017 ECSs Award from the European Geosciences Union (EGU) and Best Paper Awards at conferences such as GIRST 2023, AGERS 2021, and TSP 2020. He has held major leadership roles, serving as General Chair for ICARS 2025 and the International Workshop on Signal Processing Techniques for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) Applications (2020–2024). He is the Founding Editor-in-Chief of NDT–Journal of Non-Destructive Testing and an Associate Editor for Remote Sensing, Frontiers in Remote Sensing, and Geoscientific Instrumentation, Methods and Data Systems (GI). He is currently the Deputy President (President-Elect, 2027–2029) of the EGU’s GI Division and serves as an expert evaluator for the European Commission’s Horizon programs.
Event Committee
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr Atiyeh Ardakanian currently serves as a lecturer within the School of Computing and Engineering, specialising in Civil Engineering disciplines. She delivers undergraduate and postgraduate modules in Fluid Mechanics, Hydraulics, Research Methods, Land Surveying and Computer-Aided Design (CAD) for Civil Engineers. Atiyeh's research interests focus on the water-energy-food nexus and sustainable and safe wastewater reuse.
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Nino Auricchio is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing and Engineering, and a composer of electronic music. He also produces funk and soul music, and he is involved in mixing production for house and electronic acts. Nino Auricchio is a member of the Audio Engineering Society.
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr Efcharis Balodimou (Haroula) is Course Leader for Architectural Design Technology Courses. Haroula currently works across the Built Environment courses, teaching architectural design technology, building surveying conservation and adaptation and sustainability. She is also part of the Architecture, Construction and Urban Study research group. Before joining UWL, Haroula worked as an architect for over 10 years, specialising in high value residential refurbishment and conversion of listed buildings. Her involvement ranged from initial design and planning stages to construction and handover. From 2012 to 2021, Haroula was also governor in an Ealing primary school. In addition to participating in the overall management of the school, she acted as an architectural consultant during the school’s refurbishment and new built extension (completed June 2016).
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr Nicoletta Bianchini obtained a MSc degree in Building Engineering and Architecture from University of Genoa (Italy), in 2016. She received a MSc degree in Structural Analysis for Historic Construction in 2018 and a PhD in Civil Engineering in 2023, both from the University of Minho, Portugal. Her research spans from seismic engineering to bridges with a main focus on heritage structures. In October 2024, she joined the School of Computing and Engineering of the University of West London as a Researcher working on the Strengthening of Existing Masonry Structures by Using Advanced and Sustainable Materials and since Febraury 2026 she is an Hourly Paid Lecturer in Building Surveying Conservation and Adaptation.
Professor Phil Cox originally decided to be a biologist and studied for a degree in Applied Biology and Biotechnology. He then gained a PhD in Biochemical Engineering from the SERC Centre for Biochemical Engineering at the University of Birmingham. Eventually, he was enticed into food research and worked in the groups headed by Professors Fryer and Norton. Ultimately, he started his own research group, the Bio/Food Group, and had a number of international industrial collaborations and projects. In 2015, he was offered a more senior role at the University of Wolverhampton where he established a new Chemical Engineering department and collaborative courses with the School of Sciences. In 2020, Phil joined the University of Greenwich as Head of Engineering and now leads seven disciplines across engineering and the built environment. Most recently, he has joined the University of West London as Dean of the School of Computing and Engineering and hopes to grow the school into a strong research-informed department with the highest standards for its education. Away from work, Phil enjoys all aspects of the outdoors and climbing.
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr Eugenio Donati is a Lecturer in Audio/Sound Engineering and has earned a PhD in Audio Electronics and Bio-signal processing. His doctoral thesis focused on the development of a system for the conversion of voice into MIDI through the application of biosignal and Artificial Intelligence. Dr Donati is a member of the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) and of the UK Acoustic Network (UKAN+).
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr Laden Husamaldin is an Associate Professor in Information Systems and Project Management with over 17 years of experience in higher education. She is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), recognising her sustained commitment to teaching and academic excellence. She holds a PhD in Information Systems from Brunel University London, specialising in business and software modelling and model-driven information systems Management. Alongside her academic work, Dr Husamaldin brings practical insight from consultancy projects across the public and private sectors, particularly in digital transformation and organisational development. She serves as Project Management Lead at the Faringdon Centre for Non-destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, contributing to interdisciplinary research initiatives. Her research interests include project management, digital innovation, business analytics, smart cities, and research methods. She has published widely in journals, serves as a peer reviewer, supervises PhD students, and also serves as an external Director of Studies for doctoral research.
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr. Mohammad Kargar is an AI researcher and educator with +10 years experience in machine learning, optimisation, and applied control, developing intelligent systems for sustainability and human-centred design. He is a Lecturer in Multimefdia and Augmented Reality at the School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London. His research bridges artificial intelligence and human-centred design, focusing on applied control and optimisation. Before joining UWL, he was a Postdoctoral Research Associate at the Computer Science Research Centre, Royal College of Art, and served for over ten years as an Assistant Professor in Electrical and Electronic Engineering at IAUN University, where he taught and supervised research in control systems and intelligent automation. He has extensive experience in academia and industry, leading projects on energy optimisation, smart buildings, and human–robot interaction. Mohammad is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and has published widely in high-impact journals on control, robotics, and energy systems.
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr Livia Lantini received the BSc (Hons) degree in Civil Engineering and the MSc degree in Infrastructure and Transportation Engineering with the Department of Engineering, Rome Tre University, Rome, Italy. In 2021 she was awarded the PhD degree in Civil Engineering by the University of West London, London, UK. Her research focuses on the assessment of civil engineering infrastructures using Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) and other non-destructive testing (NDT) methods in Civil Engineering and Geosciences, as well as the health monitoring and assessment of trees using GPR. She was the recipient of an award for the ‘Best Paper at the IEEE 2020 43rd International Conference on Telecommunications and Signal Processing’. She has also given invited presentations at national events and forums, such as a Business Breakfast event at the House of Lords, in February 2020. She is also a dedicated team member of Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (WInSTEM) at the School of Computing and Engineering at UWL, and an Ambassador of the IEEE Women in Engineering UK & Ireland.
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr. Muhammad Naveed is a distinguished civil engineer with over a decade of experience across industry and academia. Currently an Associate Professor at the University of West London, he is an expert in geotechnical and geoenvironmental engineering. He is a member of the Pakistan Engineering Council, an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK), and an Honorary Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen. Professional Background Prior to his current role, Dr. Naveed was a Lecturer at the University of the West of Scotland and a Research Fellow at the University of Aberdeen. His academic career is grounded in three years of practical experience as a geotechnical engineer at NESPAK, where he worked on major international infrastructure projects. Research & Impact With over 40 peer-reviewed publications, Dr. Naveed has contributed to several high-profile UK and European research projects, including: Rhizosphere by Design (BBSRC): Breeding for root traits to manipulate soil. StressSoil: Funded by the Danish Council for Independent Research. Soil-it-is: Researching translocation processes in inner space. Key Research Interests Sustainable Infrastructure: Innovative materials to prevent potholes and increase climate resistance in earth-based structures. Bioengineering: Soil stabilization using plant-based biomaterials, agricultural waste, and microbial-induced calcite (MIC). Slope Stability: Utilizing root architecture (length, density, and exudates) and soil nails for slope reinforcement. Soil Physics: Stress transmission through soil and pavement layers. Academic Leadership As a module leader at UWL, Dr. Naveed teaches Soil Mechanics, Geology, Geotechnical Design, and Advanced Geotechnical Engineering, bridging the gap between theoretical soil physics and practical civil engineering solutions.
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr Saeed Parnow is Post-Doctoral Research Fellow– Innovation and Knowledge Transfer at the Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK.
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr. Malte Ressin has extensive experience of working within the software development industry and academia; academic authoring and publication review for journals and conferences. Research interest: collaboration across disciplines in software development, productive mobile computing.
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr Parisa Saadati (BSc, MSc, PhD Candidate, PGCE, FHEA) is an IT Senior Lecturer and the MSc Applied Project Management Course Leader at the University of West London. She has over two decades of experience in academia and industry. Certified as a practitioner in PRINCE2 and Agile methodologies, her career spans roles at Roehampton University and Ulster University (London campus), blending teaching expertise with practical project management. Further, her commitment to professional development is evidenced by numerous certifications in Agile Project Management, Design Thinking, User Experience and more. Dr Saadati's work as an entrepreneur and consultant complements her academic contributions, enriching her supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations. Her leadership in curriculum development and research in digital transformation and innovation showcases her commitment to preparing students for the challenges of the digital age. Dr Saadati's dynamic approach to education bridges theoretical knowledge with real-world application, marking her as a pivotal figure in IT and project management education. Teaching philosophy and impact: Her approach to education is rooted in the belief that learning should be interactive, relevant and continuously aligned with industry trends. By integrating her research insights into the curriculum, Dr Saadati ensures that her students are not just passive recipients of information but active participants in their learning journey. Whether it's through leading modules on Digital Transformation, Managing Innovation and Change, or supervising dissertations, she strives to instil curiosity, critical thinking and practical skills in her students. Her dedication to teaching excellence is evident in her development of innovative course content, her role as a mentor and her ability to inspire students to pursue their passions within the IT and project management fields.
School of Computing and Engineering, University of West London, UK,
The Faringdon Research Centre for Non-Destructive Testing and Remote Sensing, University of West London, UK
Dr Tesfaye Tessema received a physics bachelor's degree from Bahir Dar University, Ethiopia, in 2004 and an MSc degree in Geodesy (Civil Engineering) from Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in 2013. In 2021, he received his PhD in Geophysics from the University of Bristol, England. The Michael Dreyfus PhD Alumni Scholarship supported the PhD. He had research visits at the University of Bristol in 2012 and 2015; and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP) in 2015. In January 2023, he joined the School of Computing and Engineering of the University of West London as a Postdoctoral Research Fellow on "Theory and Applications of Remote Sensing Techniques and Methods (InSAR)" and since March 2025 he is a Lecturer in Mathematics.
Registration
Registration for the FARSY 2026 conference is free of charge. To maintain a high scientific standard and promote a focused environment for research exchange, attendance is exclusively open to active members of the Faringdon Research Centre and external collaborators who have contributed to joint research initiatives within the one-year period preceding the conference. The registration includes attendance at all conference sessions.
Please note that registration requests from external individuals who do not comply with this active contribution rule will not be considered, as all applications are subject to review by the Organising Committee to verify collaborative status.
Instructions for Authors
The 1st Faringdon Symposium (FARSY 2026) will accept abstracts only. The accepted abstracts will be available online on Sciforum.net during and after the conference.
Important Deadlines
1. Deadline for abstract submission: 15 May 2026.
2. Abstract Acceptance Notification: 5 June 2026.
You will be notified of the acceptance of an oral/poster presentation in a separate email.
Abstract Submission
Abstract submissions should be completed online by registering with www.sciforum.net and using the "Submit Abstract" function once logged into the system. No physical template is necessary.
- The structure abstract should include the introduction, methods, results, conclusions, and key references of about 400–600 words in length.
- All abstracts should be submitted and presented in clear, publication-ready English with accurate grammar and spelling.
- You may submit multiple abstracts. However, only one abstract will be selected for oral presentation.
- Abstracts submitted to this conference must be original and novel, without prior publication in any journals, or else it will not be accepted to this conference.
Detailed Requirements:
- The submitting author must ensure that all co-authors are aware of the contents of the abstract.
- Please ensure that all co-author information is thoroughly completed when submitting your abstract to prevent any omissions.
- The requirements for full affiliation include:
(1) Department/School/Faculty/Campus;
(2) University/Company/Institute;
(3) City;
(4) Post/ZIP code or equivalent, where available;
(5) Country.
- Please select only one presenter for each submission. If you would like to change the presenter after submission, please email us accordingly.
Note: We only accept live presentations.
Oral Presentation and Slides Submission
The slot for the oral presentation is 15 minutes. We advise that your presentation lasts for a maximum of 12 minutes, leaving at least 3 minutes for the Q&A session.
Authors are encouraged to prepare a presentation in PowerPoint or similar software, to be displayed online along with the abstract. Slides, if available, will be displayed directly on the website using the proprietary slide viewer at Sciforum.net. Slides can be prepared in exactly the same way as for any traditional conference where research results are presented. Slides should be converted to PDF format prior to submission so that they can be converted for online display.
Poster Presentation
- Should include the title, authors, contact details and main research findings, as well as tables, figures and graphs where necessary.
- Size in cm: 62,9 width x 89,0 height–portrait orientation.
- Font size: ≥16.
- Examples of successful submissions can be viewed here at the following links: (1), (2), (3)
- You can use our free template to create your poster. Please contact the Secretariat for additional information.
Potential Conflicts of Interest
It is the author's responsibility to identify and declare any personal circumstances or interests that may be perceived as inappropriately influencing the representation or interpretation of clinical research. If there is no conflict, please state "The authors declare no conflicts of interest." This should be conveyed in a separate "Conflict of Interest" statement preceding the "Acknowledgments" and "References" sections at the end of the manuscript. Any financial support for the study must be fully disclosed in the "Acknowledgments" section.
Copyright
MDPI, the publisher of the Sciforum.net platform, is an open access publisher. We believe authors should retain the copyright to their scholarly works. Hence, by submitting an abstract to this conference, you retain the copyright to the work, but you grant MDPI the non-exclusive right to publish this abstract online on the Sciforum.net platform. This means you can easily submit your full paper (with the abstract) to any scientific journal at a later stage and transfer the copyright to its publisher if required.
Publication Opportunities
The recipients of the FARSY 2026 awards will be invited to contribute a full manuscript to the conference's Special Issue, published in the NDT — Journal of Non-Destructive Testing (ISSN: 2813-477X), free of charge. Other contributors will receive a 20% discount on the publication fee. For more information, please visit the website here.
Please note, if you have IOAP/association discounts, conference discounts will be combined with IOAP/association discounts. Conference discounts cannot be combined with reviewer vouchers. All submitted papers will undergo MDPI’s standard peer-review procedure. The abstracts should be cited and noted on the first page of the paper.
Authors are asked to disclose that it is a proceeding paper of the ICNDT 2026 conference paper in their cover letter. Carefully read the rules outlined in the 'Instructions for Authors' on the journal’s website and ensure that your submission adheres to these guidelines.
Manuscripts for the proceedings issue must be formatted as follows:
Title;
Full author names;
Affiliations (including full postal address) and authors' e-mail addresses;
Abstract;
Keywords;
Introduction;
Methods;
Results and Discussion;
Conclusions;
Acknowledgements;
References.
Please click HERE to submit your proceeding paper to the Engineering Proceedings.
The proceeding paper template can be downloaded HERE.
Venue, Travel and Accommodation
- The Venue
The 1st Faringdon Symposium will be held at the University of West London (Ealing Campus). Specifically, the conference will be hosted in the Savoy Suite, a dedicated, high-spec professional hub located within the flagship St Mary's Road site.
Address: University of West London, St Mary's Road, Ealing, London, W5 5RF
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Transport and Directions
UWL is exceptionally well-connected, situated between Heathrow Airport and Central London.
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Elizabeth Line / GWR: Ealing Broadway Station (15-minute walk or 5-minute bus ride).
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Piccadilly Line: South Ealing Station (10-minute walk).
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Central & District Lines: Ealing Broadway Station (15-minute walk).
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Bus: Route 65 stops directly at the university (Warwick Road stop).
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Conference Facilities
The Savoy Suite provides an integrated environment for the event:
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Seminar & Boardrooms: A flexible layout featuring a primary seminar room and two interconnecting boardrooms.
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AV & Technology: Fully integrated audio-visual systems, high-definition screens, and video conferencing.
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Environment: Modern, light-filled spaces designed for both academic sessions and networking.
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General Information
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Accessibility: The venue is fully accessible with dedicated lift access to the Savoy Suite.
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Wi-Fi: Free high-speed guest Wi-Fi is available throughout the campus.
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Parking: No on-site parking is available. The nearest public car park is located at Ealing Broadway Shopping Centre (12-minute walk).
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Travel Planning
For international attendees, the venue is approximately 35 minutes from Heathrow Airport via the Elizabeth Line. For those staying in Central London, journey times from Paddington Station are approximately 10–12 minutes to Ealing Broadway Station.
Event Awards
To acknowledge the support of the conference's esteemed authors and recognise their outstanding scientific accomplishments, we are pleased to announce that the conference will provide 4 awards, including the Ibrahim Shaaban Memorial Award, 1 Best PhD Student Oral Presentation Award, 1 Best PhD Student Poster Award, and 1 Symposium “Best in Show” Award.
The Awards
Number of Awards Available: 1
The Ibrahim Shaaban Memorial Award is given to the most outstanding contribution from the Symposium, and it is open to all the presenters.
Eligibility: Open to all the presenters who have submitted an abstract and delivered their presentation at the FARSY 2026 Conference.
Criteria: Evaluation is based on content quality, delivery clarity, audience interaction, and overall scientific impact.
Number of Awards Available: 1
The Best PhD Student Oral Presentation Award recognises the PhD student who demonstrates exceptional skill in communicating complex research with clarity and confidence during their oral session.
Eligibility: Open to all PhD students selected as oral speakers who have delivered their presentation.
Criteria: Evaluation based on content quality, delivery clarity, and the ability to engage with the audience during Q&A.
Number of Awards Available: 1
The Best PhD Student Poster Award honors the PhD student who effectively combines scientific depth with visual creativity to engage and inform their audience through a poster display.
Eligibility: Open to all PhD Students presenting their work via the poster sessions.
Criteria: Evaluation based on scientific merit, visual creativity, and the effectiveness of the author in engaging viewers.
Number of Awards Available: 1
The Symposium “Best in Show” Award is dedicated to the most engaging and interactive contribution of the event.
Eligibility: Open to all registered presenters who deliver their work at FARSY 2026.
Criteria: The primary focus for this award is the level of audience interaction and the presenter's ability to engage the community.
Sponsors and Partners
Organizers
Event Secretariat
For inquiries regarding attendance and registrations, please feel free to contact us.
