The 2026 edition of the European Informatics Leaders Summit will be held from 26 to 28 October in Porto, Portugal, and will be co-hosted by Informatics Europe and our member institution, the Department of Informatics Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, University of Porto.
ECSS is Europe's only forum for the Informatics community to address timely strategic and policy issues in research and education. Open to all, the Summit annually brings together some 150 academics, researchers, and industry representatives to exchange ideas, address shared challenges, and drive collective action at the institutional and policy levels.
Unlike a traditional scientific conference, ECSS focuses on the strategic challenges and opportunities facing Informatics as a discipline and as a community. Through high-level dialogue, thought-provoking keynotes, workshops, and networking, participants gain practical insights, build connections, and contribute to collective action across academia, industry, and public life.
Why attend
Join the European Informatics community in turning shared challenges into collective progress.
Vision
Discuss the future of Informatics and its role in addressing scientific, technological, economic, and societal challenges.
Strategy
Exchange experiences, perspectives, and leading practices on institutional development, leadership, and governance.
Community
Connect with academics, institutional decision-makers, policymakers, and industry representatives shaping Informatics across Europe.
Collaboration
Explore opportunities for collective action to advance Informatics research, education, and societal impact.
Advocacy
Contribute to informed policy discussions and strengthen the voice of the European Informatics community.
Be ready to explore the future of Informatics, discuss how institutions can respond, build meaningful connections, identify opportunities for joint action, and help shape the future of the discipline.
The ECSS Story - From 2005 to Today
ECSS has been organised annually by Informatics Europe since 2005. Originally known as the European Computer Science Summit, its origins trace back to the first gathering of European deans and heads of Informatics departments at ETH Zurich. Participants recognised the need for a European forum to discuss shared challenges and opportunities facing the discipline, and the meeting ultimately led to the creation of Informatics Europe and established ECSS as its flagship annual event.
ECSS traces its origins to the first gathering of European deans and heads of Informatics departments at ETH Zurich, where participants recognised the need for a European forum to exchange experiences, strengthen connections across countries, discuss shared challenges and opportunities, and develop a stronger collective voice for Informatics at institutional, national, and European levels. That 2005 meeting ultimately led to the creation of Informatics Europe and established ECSS as its flagship annual event.
Through keynote talks and panels, community workshops, and peer exchange, participants explore topics ranging from funding, entrepreneurship, and institutional management to talent development, public policy, and the future of the discipline.
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