Leaders Workshop

Each year, Informatics Europe organises a dedicated Workshop for Leaders of Informatics Research and Education, bringing together academic and research decision-makers from informatics faculties, departments, and research labs to discuss specific challenges faced in their roles.

In 2026, the workshop themed “Beyond Plans: Strategy and Impact in Academia” is co-chaired by Ana C.R. Paiva from the University of Porto (Portugal) and Jean-Marc Jézéquel from IRISA / University of Rennes (France). Open to all ECSS participants, it will take place on Monday, 26 October. 

The workshop will explore how universities, departments, and research labs can translate strategic ambitions into meaningful and lasting impact in a rapidly evolving academic landscape. Through talks on the disruption and renewal of scientific publishing, human- and data-centric digital transformation through university digital twins, and practical approaches to strategy-making in academia, participants will examine how academic leaders can respond to emerging challenges, make better-informed decisions, engage their communities, and move beyond formal plans towards concrete actions that strengthen research, education, innovation, and societal contribution.

Workshop Rundown

11:00 - 12:30 

• Beyond Traditional Peer Review: Disruptions and Opportunities in Scientific Publishing
  Carlos Baquero, University of Porto (Portugal)
  
  
• Digital Twin of Universities: a Human- and Data-centric Digital Transformation Approach for Future-oriented Universities
  Gregor Engels, Bielefeld University (Germany)
  
  

12:30 - 14:00 Lunch 

14:00 - 16:00 

• Doing Strategy in Academia: From Plans to Impact 
  chaired by Michel Chaudron, Eindhoven University of Technology (the Netherlands) and Giovanni Russello, University of Auckland (New Zealand)
  This session will examine why strategy matters in an academic Informatics context and introduce key strategic concepts through presentations and discussions. Participants will also reflect on the ingredients of strategic discussions, including creating a shared evidence-based view of a department’s current position and mapping its assets.
  It is the first part of a two-session workshop, which will continue with in-depth discussions and practical activities on Wednesday, 28 October, in a group of up to 50 participants. Read full details here.