Last year the ACE Network conducted a community survey on Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) across the UK Automatic Control Engineering community. We are now repeating this as a short follow-up survey to better understand what has changed since then and where further work may still be needed.
The ACE Network Mentor Scheme is led by our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Group, which is committed to building a more inclusive and diverse Automatic Control Engineering (ACE) community.
We believe that diversity is essential for innovation, progress, and long-term success in our field. Our EDI group works to increase representation—particularly of women and other underrepresented groups—foster inclusive environments, and ensure fair opportunities for all. This mentorship scheme is one of the key ways we aim to support individuals in their careers and contribute to a stronger, more equitable ACE community.
The United Kingdom Automatic Control Council (UKACC) is looking for fresh ideas for a new visual identity and logo concept.
UKACC are inviting students, researchers, engineers, and members of the control community to submit creative concepts that reflect the role of UKACC today and its future direction.
The 15th UKACC International Conference on Control (CONTROL 2026) brought together researchers, industry representatives and students in Newcastle upon Tyne from 23–25 June 2026 for three days of discussion, collaboration and exploration of the future of automatic control engineering.
Hosted at Newcastle University’s Frederick Douglass Centre, the conference was jointly organised by the United Kingdom Automatic Control Council (UKACC) and the Automatic Control Engineering (ACE) Network, marking the first time ACE has co-hosted the UKACC Control Conference.
The ACE-Lab Practical Model-Based Control Engineering Workshops are a series of hands-on workshops led by ACE-Lab, providing an introduction to Model-Based Design for control systems using MATLAB and Simulink alongside portable, low-cost hardware platforms.
The workshops are designed to demonstrate a complete workflow, from the definition of engineering requirements through controller design, implementation, testing and validation. Participants will work through practical examples and gain experience of applying control concepts to real systems.
Five workshops will be delivered across the United Kingdom and Ireland during September and October 2026.
The ACE Network, in collaboration with UKACC and MathWorks, is pleased to announce a two-day summer school for Early Career Researchers (ECRs) and PhD students working in the field of automatic control.
The event will provide opportunities to hear from leading researchers and industry experts, take part in interactive sessions, develop new collaborations, and network with colleagues across the control community.
As the ACE Network enters the final months of its current funding period, which runs until the end of 2026, we are launching two community consultations to help shape the future of the UK automation and control engineering community.
The UK Automatic Control Engineering (ACE) Network has published a new Position Paper making the case for Automatic Control Engineering as a critical national capability for the UK’s prosperity, security and sustainable growth.
Automatic Control Engineering: A Strategic National Capability for the UK April 2026 The UK Automatic Control Engineering (ACE) Network has published a
We are thrilled to announce the AI and Data Talk Series — an engaging lecture series presented by the ACE AI and Data Grand Challenge Research Committee. This series aims to elevate awareness and foster dialogue among a diverse audience, including established researchers, industry professionals, and early career scholars, about the vital intersection of control theory and AI technologies.
The ACE & UKACC Control Conference 2026, a flagship conference for the automatic control community, will take place from 23–25 June 2026, bringing together the UK control community for three days of discussion, exchange, and engagement across academia, industry, and practice. Hosted at Newcastle University’s Frederick Douglass Centre, offering modern facilities in the heart of a vibrant and accessible city.
The ACE Clean Growth committee focuses on harnessing the power of Automatic Control Engineering to drive sustainable innovation, tackle complex climate and energy challenges, and support the UK’s Net-Zero ambitions through smart, efficient systems across energy, manufacturing, and agriculture. This event served as a collaborative platform for experts from academia, industry, and policy to engage in meaningful discussion about the essential challenges of achieving a low-carbon future.