About the Society

The European Society for Phenomenology (ESPhen) brings together scholars and institutions engaged in phenomenological research across Europe. It was founded to create a common space for exchange and cooperation across the diverse traditions, languages, and research cultures that shape phenomenology in Europe today.

The Society promotes scholarly dialogue, supports cooperation among phenomenological institutions, and encourages shared academic initiatives across Europe, while fostering dialogue with the wider international phenomenological community.

Foundation

The European Society for Phenomenology (ESPhen) was founded on 9 May 2026, following a Europe-wide initiative bringing together phenomenologists and institutions committed to phenomenological research. The initiative was launched and coordinated by Cristian Ciocan.

The Society was established by 91 founding members, with the support of 66 phenomenological institutions across Europe, including societies, research centres and institutes, archives, journals, and academic programmes.

In June 2026, the founding members elected the Society’s first Executive Board and Advisory Council (2026–2030).

Executive Board: Andrea Altobrando, Élodie Boublil, Sylvain Camilleri, Cristian Ciocan, Daniele De Santis, Sophie Loidolt, Pierre-Jean Renaudie, Jaroslava Vydrová, Dan Zahavi.

Advisory Council: Gabriella Baptist, Thomas Bedorf, Thiemo Breyer, Jagna Brudzińska, Ion Copoeru, Natalie Depraz, Annabelle Dufourcq, Thomas Fuchs, Hanne Jacobs, Karel Novotný, Søren Overgaard, Dominique Pradelle, Inga Römer, Alexander Schnell, Michela Summa, Emiliano Trizio, Charlotta Weigelt.

Governance

At its first meeting, held on 27 August 2026, the Executive Board elected the following Officers: 

• Dan Zahavi as President, 
  
• Cristian Ciocan and Jaroslava Vydrová as Vice-Presidents,
• Sylvain Camilleri as Secretary General.

The Board also assigned areas of responsibility as follows: 

• Congress & Academic Activities are coordinated by Dan Zahavi and Andrea Altobrando;
• Institutional Relations & Advisory Council Liaison by Jaroslava Vydrová, Sophie Loidolt, and Pierre-Jean Renaudie;
• Website & Digital Infrastructure, Communication & Outreach by Cristian Ciocan and Élodie Boublil;
• Membership by Sylvain Camilleri and Daniele De Santis.