The International Underwater Glider Conference (IUGC) returns in 2026, bringing together scientists, engineers, operators, and industry partners from across the world to advance collaboration and innovation in ocean glider technology. Scheduled for 16–20 November 2026 in Perth, the event continues a long-standing tradition of international meetings that foster dialogue, share operational experience, and develop best practices for the global glider community.
These conferences are widely recognized as key forums where participants exchange research results, discuss emerging technologies, and strengthen partnerships across institutions and countries. A recent edition, held in Gothenburg in June 2024, demonstrated the importance of such gatherings by offering plenaries, workshops, training sessions, and poster presentations designed to enhance cooperation and disseminate the latest scientific and operational developments.
The IUGC series builds on years of collaborative efforts within the underwater glider ecosystem. Workshops and meetings organized by the Everyone Gliding Observatories Network (EGO) since 2006 have consistently aimed to coordinate activities, share knowledge, and support best practices across research, monitoring, and data-management communities.
As ocean gliders have evolved over the past decades from experimental platforms into mature observing systems capable of long-duration missions and real-time data collection, international conferences like IUGC have become essential milestones for the field. The 2026 conference promises to continue this legacy by offering a dedicated space for networking, collaboration, and scientific exchange among all sectors of the glider community.