Partonic structure of nuclei from UPCs

We present an overview of theoretical and phenomenological studies on the partonic structure of nuclei and small-$x$ QCD dynamics using photon-nucleus $(\gamma A$) scattering in heavy ion ultraperipheral collisions (UPCs). Focusing on nuclear shadowing, we review implications of coherent charmonium and inclusive dijet production in Pb-Pb UPCs at the LHC and discuss the potential of inelastic $\gamma A$ scattering accompanied by forward neutrons in a zero degree calorimeter (ZDC).