Prof. Natalie Stranghöner and Dr.-Ing. Jörg Uhlemann are from the Institute for Metal and Lightweight Structures (IML) at the University of Duisburg-Essen, hosting university of this symposium. Natalie Stranghöner is Professor and Head of the IML, while Jörg Uhlemann heads the institute’s membrane structures competence area and the Essen Laboratory for Lightweight Structures (ELLF). Both have been closely involved in membrane research and standardisation for many years, contributing to national and European committees and to the development of European design rules for membrane structures. In their keynote, “Advancements in testing, modelling and standardisation of structural membranes”, they will provide insights into recent research at the IML – from experimental characterisation and advanced material modelling to the ongoing development of European design and testing standards for membrane structures.