SCIENTIFIC COMMITTEE

The Scientific Committee plays a central role in shaping the technical and academic content of the ITA World Tunnel Congress 2027. Composed of leading experts from around the globe, the committee is responsible for reviewing submitted papers, curating technical sessions, and ensuring the highest standards of scientific quality throughout the program. The committee will be officially formed in the coming months, bringing together professionals from academia, industry, and research institutions. Their combined expertise will help guide the development of a rich and forward-looking congress agenda that reflects the latest innovations and challenges in tunnelling and underground space. 

core team

Bart De Pauw
Scientific Committee Chair

TUC Rail
Chairman ITA WTC2027
General Secretary ABTUS-BVOTS

Hans Mortier
Topic Lead T3

DEME Infra
KU Leuven

Jean-Pierre Tshibangu
Topic Lead T5

U Mons

Laurence Delplace
Topic Lead T2

Amberg Engineering

Dr. Didier De Bruyn
Publications Chair

Belgian Nuclear Research Centre, Retired
Honorary Deputy Chairman ABTUS-BVOTS

Matteo Pachera
Topic Lead T9

Sweco Belgium

Topic leads

T1
Benoit De Rivaz

Bekaert

T1
Eric Waffelaert

Tractebel

T1
Fanny Descamps

U Mons

T1
Yves Cojean

Amberg Engineering

T2
Andrea Marchioni

Systra

T2
Maarten Vanneste

Denys

T2
Martino Scialpi

ARX

T3
Lode Franken

DEME
TM ROCO

T3
Michael Tonnesen

COWI

T03
Marcel 't Hart

TEC Tunnel Engineering Consultants

T4
Arnaud Dizier

Euridice

T4
John Osborne

CERN

T4
Patricia Lamas

Amberg Engineering

T4
Séverine Levasseur

Belgian Agency for Radioactive Waste and Enriched Fissile Materials

T5
Bruno Stuyts

U Gent

T6
Gust Van Lysebetten

Buildwise

T6
Hans De Backer

U Gent

T6
Stijn François

KU Leuven

T7
Nicolas Gevaert

Bekaert

T7
Niels Hulsbosch

Buildwise
KU Leuven

T8
Giuseppe Gaspari

AECOM

T8
Shana Debrock

Flemish Departement of Environment and Spatial Planning
University of Antwerp

T8
Louis Kuitenbrouwer 

Ringland

T9
Peter Verbois

Lantis

T10
Jef Van Nerom

Sweco

T10
Joachim Peerlinck

Agentschap Wegen en Verkeer

T10
Magali Mathy

Lombardi Belgium

T11
Kang-Chi Jao

Wayss & Freytag Ingenieurbau AG

T11
Yanissa De Jonghe

Lantis

T11
Zuzan Azad

Ruhr University Bochum

T12
Paul Janssen

T12
Frederic Van Hoorebeke

Lantis