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We are happy to announce the 18th International Workshop on Variable Structure Systems will be held on  Monday 27th July to Thursday 30th July 2026 at the University of Exeter, UK.

It is the premier conference in variable structure and sliding mode control and brings together people from academia and industry.

The PhD Summer School Sliding Mode Towards a Changing World will be held from Saturday 25
th
July to Monday 27th July 2026 at the University of Exeter, UK. The event will precede the VSS 2026
conference. The event will be hosted at the University of Exeter, Streatham Campus.
This Summer School focuses on the latest advances in sliding mode control theory, with clear
applications to decarbonisation, sustainable energy, and transportation. Participants will learn
how established and emerging techniques translate into real-world solutions that enhance
performance, improve fault tolerance, enable optimisation, and reduce costs.

Financial Support Available:
Funding is available to cover travel and accommodation for PhD students residing in one of the 
countries listed on the IEEE eMember Countries page. Support includes:
• Free registration for the PhD Summer School
• Free accommodation at Holland Hall for 4 nights (check-in Friday 24 July, check-out Tuesday 28 
July)
• Travel support, processed after the attendance of the PhD School. 

Eligibility will be assessed and the refund will be issued after arrival in Exeter

How to apply to the PhD School and to the Financial Support:
Contact the Organiser: Dr Gianmario Rinaldi at G.Rinaldi3@exeter.ac.uk