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20th European Computer Science Summit

Deans, academic leaders, all levels of researchers, public policymakers, and industry representatives across and beyond Europe gathered in person in Sliema (Malta), 28-30 October 2024, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the European Informatics Leaders Summit, ECSS 2024.

See the conference highlights and photos.

Download the slides of the various talks on the ECSS 2024 program page or through the individual session links below.

ECSS 2024 past

Quick Links:

ECSS 2024 is the 20th Summit of Informatics Europe. It is the only place, once a year, where leaders and decision-makers in Informatics research and education in Europe gather to debate strategic themes and trends related to research, education, and policies in Informatics. It is a unique opportunity to meet leaders in the field and discuss critical issues of the discipline related to education, research, funding, entrepreneurship, management, career development, and policies.

In honor of ECSS's 20th anniversary, distinguished speakers delivered keynote speeches at ECSS 2024 during a special session dedicated to 'Reflecting on the Past and the Future of Informatics in Europe'.

Keynote Speakers & Panellists:

Conference Chairs: 

Keynotes Session Chairs:

Leaders Workshop

The 2024 Workshop for Leaders of Informatics Research and Education was held on 28 October, co-chaired by Elisabetta Di Nitto from Politecnico di Milano and Kim Mens from Université catholique de Louvain. The central theme was "Dealing with Interdisciplinarity and Sustainability in Research Groups and Departments".

Speakers:

Professional Development Workshop for Early Career Researchers

The 2024 Early Career Researchers Workshop was held on 28 October, co-chaired by Dimka Karastoyanova, University of Groningen (the Netherlands), and Irene Vanderfeesten, KU Leuven (Belgium). The goal was to support early career researchers (PhD students and Postdocs) in the development of their soft skills related to presentation abilities, networking and developing a research plan.

Speakers:

Cultivating Diversity: Integrating Inclusiveness into Informatics Education Workshop

Supported by IE's Ethics and Diversity & Inclusion Working Groups, the workshop was held on Tuesday afternoon, 29 October and chaired by Dympna O'Sullivan, TU Dublin (Ireland) and Simona Motogna, Babeş-Bolyai University (Romania).

Speakers:

Green ICT and ICT for Green Workshop

Chaired by Marco Aiello, University of Stuttgart (Germany), the workshop was held on 29 October, Tuesday afternoon and was dedicated to topics of ICT energy accountability, management, and optimization, on the one hand, and topics of using ICT for reducing energy usage, on the other hand.

Panellists:

AI in Informatics Education and Professional Practice

Chaired by Pekka Orponen, Aalto University (Finland), Manuel Carro, Technical University of Madrid/IMDEA Software Institute (Spain) and Heri Ramampiaro, NTNU (Norway), the workshop was held on Wednesday, 30 October and organised in collaboration with the National Informatics Associations (NIAs) in Europe. The workshop addressed the impact the dramatic GenAI developments are having on Informatics education and the changing competence needs in the industry. During the the third session, a newly revised report on Recommendations for Informatics Research Evaluation was presented for community discussion.

Speakers:

Informatics Education Workshop 

Supported by IE's Education Research Working Group, the workshop was held on Wednesday, October 30, with the theme "Academia/Industry Collaboration in Higher Education" and co-chired by Michael Kölling, King's College London (UK) and Jan Vahrenhold, University of Münster (Germany).

Speakers:

Audience

The ECSS audience includes anyone with a stake in the future of Information and Communication Science and Technology in Europe. Traditionally, many department heads, directors of both industrial and academic labs, and other decision-makers make up a substantial share of ECSS participants. However, the scope of the conference is much broader and professionals from all levels and all sectors (academia, industry, government) would benefit from the discussions and critical debate on the future of the discipline.

Purpose of the European Computer Science Summit:

  • Debate the future of the discipline, its role, and influence in both academy and society.
  • Expand the international network of deans, heads of departments, and research directors in Informatics.
  • Provide a forum for discussion and the exchange of solutions and best practices on common issues.
  • Examine ways in which Informatics leaders can work together to improve teaching and research, implement the Bologna process, can influence the policies of their universities, governments and the EU, and take joint initiatives on many other issues.
  • Provide opportunities for liaisons with other groups pursuing relevant interests.

 ECSS 2024 was organised by

              

 Sponsored by   Supported by VisitMalta Incentives & Meetings
   VMIM