ACM Europe Seasonal Schools Working Group

Mission

The ACM Seasonal Schools Working Group is dedicated to advancing education and research in computing by fostering high-quality learning experiences. Its mission is to identify, support, and promote seasonal schools that address both emerging and well-established topics in computing. These schools provide a unique platform for in-depth exploration, collaboration, and knowledge exchange among researchers and students, complementing traditional conferences and workshops. By developing a growing portfolio of school offerings, the group aims to empower the next generation of computing professionals and strengthen the global research ecosystem.

Call for Seasonal Schools

Unlike conferences, ACM Seasonal Schools offer one- to two-week immersive programs for small groups (typically 40–80 participants). Students and instructors typically stay together at the school venue, creating a vibrant environment for lectures, discussions, and social activities. This co-living experience fosters deep learning, collaboration, and lasting professional networks, connecting upcoming researchers with ACM and the global computing community.

Each year, the ACM Europe Council announces a Call for Seasonal School Proposals seeking schools on new and emerging topics as well as well-established areas that may evolve into recurring series. In some cases, the Council may select topics or experts directly to ensure coverage of strategic areas. All proposals are evaluated by the Council for scientific quality, organizational strength, and community impact.

Schools that succeed repeatedly may become an ACM Europe Seasonal School Series, continuing annually under ACM’s umbrella. Even established series are evaluated yearly based on educational outcomes and financial sustainability.

ACM Europe Seasonal Schools may address a wide range of researchers and professionals, including young researchers, MSc and Ph.D. students, engineers, senior researchers and professors, aiming for continuing education on hot topics.

Core School Principles

  • Inclusion & Diversity: Schools must embrace gender balance and international participation.
  • Accessibility: While students typically fund their own travel, schools should keep registration fees modest and offer scholarships to ensure broad access.
  • Series Invariants: Unlike conferences, a school series may keep certain parameters fixed -such as topic, organizers, location, or duration- to maintain continuity and quality.

Working Group Members


Georgia Koutrika (Athena Research Center) (chair)


Angela Bonifati (Lyon 1 University)


Fabrizio Gagliardi (Barcelona Supercomputing Center)

Image of Ana Pereira
Ana I. Pereira (Instituto Politécnico de Bragança)

Image of Yannis Velegrakis
Yannis Velegrakis (Computer Science, Utrecht University)

Working Group Past Members


Natasa Milic-Frayling (Intact Digital)


Enrico Nardelli (University of Roma "Tor Vergata")

ACM Europe Council Seasonal Schools

ACM Europe Seasonal Schools focus on educating researchers on a general or specialized topic over the duration of one or two weeks and involve a small number of students. Usually, students stay together in the same place, and ideally this is the case for all their instructors as well. The co-existence of everyone during lectures as well as social activities is important as it facilitates learning, the formation of groups that may continue to interact beyond the duration of the school.