NUSOD 2026 will be hosted at University College Cork (UCC) in Cork, Ireland.
Cork is a historic maritime city, built atop the River Lee, which flows around and under the streets of the island that forms the heart of the modern city. The River Lee flows through UCC to the city centre and onwards to Cork Harbour, one of the world’s largest natural harbours. Cork is renowned for its vibrant nightlife and food scenes, with the city being a hub for live music and international cuisine.
Popular tourist attractions in the city include the English Market, Shandon Bells (St. Anne’s Church), and Cork City Gaol. Outside the city, but readily accessible via public transport, are popular tourist attractions including Blarney Castle (where you can acquire “the gift of the gab”), the Jameson Distillery in Midleton (the home of Irish whiskey), and the seaside village of Cobh (pronounced “Cove”, the last port of call for the RMS Titanic on its tragic maiden voyage). Cork is also a gateway to the Wild Atlantic Way: a 2,600 km tourism trail that begins just south of the city in the picturesque seaside village of Kinsale, and stretches the length of Ireland’s west coast, encompassing some of Europe’s most stunning coastal scenery.
UCC is the home of Boolean logic, and hosts a robust photonics community with research activities spanning from fundamental theory and simulation, through materials growth and device fabrication, to pilot production lines in support of commercialisation and the EU Chips Act. UCC’s expertise and activities in simulation of optoelectronic devices spans the School of Physics and Tyndall National Institute. Tyndall is Ireland’s national semiconductor research institute, hosts ~650 research staff and graduate students, and is home to the Irish Photonic Integration Centre (IPIC) and Ireland’s Chips Competence Centre (I-C3). These activities contribute broadly to UCC’s Futures Quantum & Photonics strategic research theme.
Venue
The conference will take place in Devere Hall, a large conference and performance space on the first floor of UCC’s Student Centre (Áras na Mac Léinn). The conference venue is in the heart of UCC’s beautiful campus, which is an internationally accredited arboretum and hosts Ireland’s only on-campus observatory. UCC is conveniently located, being only a 15 minute walk from Cork city centre, with plenty of accommodation, dining and socialising options available within walking distance.
We look forward to welcoming you to Cork for a productive and enjoyable conference!
NUSOD 2026 Co-Chairs,
Dr. Stefan Schulz
Dr. Christopher Broderick
School of Physics and Tyndall National Institute, UCC