UAH brings worldwide leaders in safety research to Huntsville

From left: Dr. Takeshi Yamaguchi, Professor Tohoku University, Japan; Co-Chair, Slips, Trips, Falls Technical Committee, IEA and Dr. Sara Harper, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at UAH, providing conference opening remarks.

Michael Mercier | UAH

From research laboratories to workplaces and everyday environments, preventing slips, trips and falls requires collaboration across disciplines. That collaboration took center stage at The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH), a part of The University of Alabama System, as the university hosted the 2026 Slips, Trips, and Falls International Conference June 16-18, 2026.

Hosted by the College of Education, Sport, and Human Sciences, the international conference brought together experts from the United States, Japan, Germany, Czech Republic, Australia, United Kingdom, Canada, Denmark, Switzerland and other countries to share emerging research, technologies and approaches focused on preventing slips, trips and falls.

“Hosting the Slips, Trips, and Falls International Conference at UAH allowed us to showcase the important work being done by our faculty and students while connecting with experts from across the globe,” said Dr. Sara Harper, Assistant Professor of Kinesiology at UAH. “These conversations and collaborations help advance research that has a direct impact on improving safety, mobility and quality of life.”

The international conference brought together experts from the United States, Japan, Germany, the Czech Republic, Australia and other countries.

Michael Mercier | UAH

Endorsed by The International Ergonomics Association, the conference rotates among international locations each year, creating opportunities for global collaboration among researchers and industry professionals. Following the 2025 conference in Seoul, South Korea, UAH served as the 2026 host before the event moves to London, England, in 2027.

During the three-day event, attendees participated in technical sessions and presentations in the Student Services Building and toured UAH’s Kinesiology & Industrial System Engineering and Engineering Management laboratories to learn more about ongoing research and opportunities for collaboration.

Dr. Harper chaired the conference and led planning and coordination for the event. She also presented alongside Dr. Howard Chen, Assistant Professor of Engineering, and UAH student Sai Panuganti on “Advancing Stairway Safety Through Applied Ergonomics,” highlighting the interdisciplinary approach UAH brings to safety research.