Dear Colleagues

I hope you are well and getting ready for our conference in Leeds in a couple of weeks’ time.

I am writing with further updates on the Executive Committee election process. As I described in my previous message, the application process for EC membership opened in July 2026. The application documents underwent a detailed process of scrutiny, and I am very pleased to confirm that we have 23 applicants for the 15 posts.

The list of candidates is available to dowload below >>>

The list contains the most basic information about the candidates. Please use basic searches (google, academia.edu, researchgate, university sites etc.) to gain more information about the candidates so that you can cast your vote fully informed about our colleagues’ background and interests.

The election will take place on  August 26, 2026, at 6.15 pm (18.15) during the conference.

Voting for the EC follows the process of a secret ballot. Each paid-up member of the Society is eligible to vote at the election. Each member has one vote. The Assembly votes for the membership of the EC. It is an important process in the life of the Society, as the Executive Committee bears responsibility for the activities of the Society. Your vote matters.

We would like to ask you to consider your position vis-à-vis the election process:

If you are attending the conference and have paid the Society’s annual membership fee, no further action is required from you. Please join us at the Assembly.

If you are attending the conference but have not paid the Society’s annual membership fee, please pay at your earliest convenience but no later than August 24, 2026. Please use the following link: https://store.leeds.ac.uk/product-catalogue/faculty-of-arts/lcs-payments/11th-congress-of-the-european-society-of-comparative-literature. Paid-up membership is required both for the Conference and for the election process.

If you are not attending the conference but would like to have your say in the composition of the Executive Committee, please use our proxy voting option. You need to approach a colleague or a friend who comes to the Assembly and transfer your vote to them. Please approach them and get their permission to stand as your proxy. It is essential to discuss it with your proxy as no one may carry more than two proxy votes. Once you have discussed your request with your proxy, please let the ESCL know that this is the option you are using. (escl.selc@gmail.com and Zsuzsanna.Varga@glasgow.ac.uk). We need to prepare for the number of votes as opposed to the number of attendees at the election venue. Please ask your proxy to bring along the proxy form signed by yourself. The form is attached.

Please ensure that both you and your proxy are paid-up ESCL members.

Please notify us no later than August 24, 2026, 12.00 pm.

I would like to thank you again for supporting the ESCL and I look forward to seeing you at the University of Leeds.

All good wishes,

Dr Zsuzsanna Varga

ESCL President