Global Robotics Experts Gather at UCC for Landmark Summer School

5 Aug 2026

University College Cork (UCC) hosted the IFToMM 11th International Summer School on Screw-Theory Based Methods in Robotics (Summer Screws 2026) and the Ball's Screw Theory Sesquicentenary Celebration Day from 19-25 July 2026, chaired by Professor Guangbo Hao.

The event welcomed 45 participants from 11 countries and over 30 organisations, including representatives from leading institutions including Peking University, UCLA, Imperial College London, EPFL, TU Delft, the Italian Institute of Technology, and INSA Strasbourg.

The Summer School was opened by Dr Alan Morrison, Head of UCC's School of Engineering and Architecture. Participants engaged in six intensive days of lectures and courses on Screw Theory delivered by seven internationally renowned experts, as well as laboratory tours, a special anniversary celebration event, and a social programme.

A highlight of the week was the Ball's Screw Theory 150-Year Anniversary Special Day, opened by Professor Alan Kelly, Interim Head of UCC's College of Science, Engineering and Food Science at UCC. The programme featured keynote lectures from distinguished speakers from the USA, UK, China and Ireland, including Professor Tom Ray, Robert Ball Professor of Astrophysics at Trinity College Dublin and DIAS.

This landmark event celebrated the enduring impact of Sir Robert Ball's pioneering contributions to science and engineering, while fostering international collaboration and advancing robotics research.

Summer Screws 2026 was financially sponsored by University College Cork and IFToMM, and supported by The IEEE UK & Ireland Robotics and Automation Society Chapter and Engineers Ireland.