Dear Colleagues,

we are pleased to announce the Symposium on Touch Science and Engineering, organized within the NEUROBRIDGE Winter School on Neurosciences and Neurotechnologies, which will take place on February 25th, 2026 (h. 9-18) at Sant’Anna School of Advanced Studies, Pisa, Italy (https://maps.app.goo.gl/Ny26ntUPx8ZM3vFk7).

The symposium will bring together leading researchers in sensory neuroscience, bioelectronics, neuromorphic engineering, haptics, and neurotechnologies, addressing both fundamental mechanisms of touch and translational applications in robotics, prosthetics, and human-machine interaction.

The scientific program includes two main sessions:

Confirmed invited speakers include internationally recognized experts, such as Nitish Thakor, Johan Wessberg, Henrik Jörntell, Michela Tosetti, Maurizio Valle, Maria Cristina Dadarlat, Antonello Grippo, Alcimar Soares Barbosa, Jean Faber, Gionata Salvietti and student talks, from institutions such as Johns Hopkins University, Lund University, Purdue University, University of Gothenburg, Federal University of Uberlândia, Universidade Federal de São Paulo and leading Italian research centers and universities.

Topics will range from microneurography, neuromorphic encoding, and artificial skin technologies to neural interfaces, robotic palpation, and emotional touch in human-robot interaction.

The symposium aims to foster interdisciplinary discussion across neuroscience and engineering communities and to stimulate new collaborations at the interface between science, technology, clinical applications and industrial spillovers.

Participation is free and open to interested researchers, students, and professionals. Please use the following link to register and indicate videoconference or in person attendance:

https://forms.office.com/e/B8v16hsjaJ

The symposium on Touch Science and Engineering is part of the plan of scientific and educational activities of the NEUROBRIDGE project (TNE 23-0034) on neurosciences and neurotechnologies, supported by the Italian Ministry for Universities and Research within the National Recovery and Resilience Plan, Mission 4, Component 1, Investment 3.4, Advanced university teaching and skills, Sub-measure T4 «Transnational Educational Initiatives (TNE)».

We would be grateful if you could circulate this announcement within your networks.

Kind regards,

Calogero Maria Oddo - calogero.oddo@santannapisa.it

Silvestro Micera - silvestro.micera@santannapisa.it

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Vice-Director, Centro Interdisciplinare Linceo Giovani