The European School of Oncology (ESO) has announced the upcoming nominations and elections for the ESO College Council, with eight seats available for the 2027–2028 term.
The Council represents the wider ESO College membership and contributes to the planning, development, and governance of College activities. The next Council term will run for two years, from January 2027 through December 2028.
The call for nominations will be open from 1 to 29 September 2026, followed by elections from 20 October to 10 November 2026.
Eight Seats to Shape the Next Council
The ESO College Council brings together members elected by their peers to represent the College community and contribute to its future development.
Eight positions are available for the upcoming term. Two elected members will subsequently be appointed by ESO to serve as Co-Chairs of the Council.
Council members can serve for a maximum of two mandates.
To support continuity between successive Council terms, outgoing Council members can remain within their respective working groups for an additional two years if they wish. Any involvement beyond that period will be subject to invitation from the relevant working group chair.
From Governance to New Initiatives
The work of the College Council extends across several areas of ESO College activity.
Council members participate in reviewing and shaping ESO College strategy and operations, evaluating existing systems and proposing opportunities for improvement.
They are also involved in identifying gaps within the College and developing new programmes, services, and events in response to the needs of members.
Representation is another central responsibility. The Council serves as a voice for the broader ESO College student community and provides members with an opportunity to contribute directly to the direction of the College.
Council members also lead dedicated working groups focused on education, membership, strategy, and career development.
Building Connections Across the ESO College Community
Networking forms another important part of the Council’s work.
Council members assist in organising the ESO College Convention, creating opportunities for members to meet, exchange ideas, and strengthen professional networks.
The Council also explores the development of smaller regional networking events, with the aim of creating valuable career connections across different regions.
The Council will meet in person once each year, with the next meeting scheduled for 22 January 2027 in Milan. In addition, four online Council meetings will be held annually.
The first meeting of the incoming Council is scheduled within the 21–23 January 2027 period in Milan, Italy.
Four Working Groups Driving College Development
The Council leads four dedicated working groups designed to support targeted development across ESO College.
Each working group is co-chaired by two Council members and supported by four ESO College members.
Together, the groups focus on ensuring that education, strategic planning, career services, and membership activities remain responsive to the needs of the College community.
Education Working Group: Strengthening the Learning Experience
The Education Working Group is responsible for developing and improving the educational offering available through ESO College.
Its responsibilities include evaluating existing member benefits, aligning ESO educational activities with international oncology curricula, and exploring opportunities for more interactive activities.
Membership Working Group: Growing and Engaging the Community
The Membership Working Group focuses on the growth and engagement of the ESO College community.
Its activities include reviewing eligibility and membership processes, strengthening outreach and communication, and supporting the retention and continued engagement of current members.
Strategy Working Group: Defining Future Priorities
The Strategy Working Group focuses on long-term development and innovation within the College.
Members work on refining strategic goals, establishing measurable objectives, and proposing new directions aligned with ESO’s broader mission.
The group is also responsible for curating and developing future distance learning sessions and participating in ESO’s Advisory Board.
Career Development Working Group: Supporting Professional Growth
The Career Development Working Group concentrates on opportunities that support members throughout their professional development.
Its responsibilities include managing the Mentorship Programme, organising the College Writing Contest, developing career support tools and resources, and creating new networking opportunities.
Key Dates for the 2027–2028 Council
The nomination period for the next ESO College Council will run from 1 to 29 September 2026.
Elections will follow between 20 October and 10 November 2026.
The incoming Council will begin its two-year mandate in January 2027, with its first in-person meeting scheduled for 21–23 January 2027 in Milan, Italy.
For ESO College members interested in contributing to education, career development, membership engagement, networking, and the future direction of the College, the upcoming Council elections provide an opportunity to take an active role in its next chapter.
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