ECOC 2026 - Call for Special Symposia

Proposal Deadline: January 31st 2026

The 52nd European Conference on Optical Communication (ECOC 2026) will take place from 20 to 24 September 2026 in Málaga (Spain), a vibrant setting for one of the world’s leading events in optical communications and networks. With a dynamic program spanning every facet of the field, ECOC remains the premier European forum to explore the latest technological advances, exchange ideas, and connect with key innovators shaping the future of optical communications.

A particular highlight of the conference is the Special Symposia, offering a more focused and interactive setting to dive deep into emerging research areas, foster cross-disciplinary dialogue, and experiment with fresh formats that inspire new ways of thinking and collaborating. The conference will feature 3 to 4 special symposia. Each symposium typically spans 210 minutes, organized as two 90-minute sessions separated by a 30-minute break. Traditionally, each symposium features 6–12 speakers, offering a diverse and stimulating mix of perspectives from leading experts in academia and industry.

Proposal Requirements:

All proposal submissions will be reviewed by the General Chairs and Technical Programme Chairs. Please, submit your proposal by January 31st 2026, via e-mail to tpc-chairs@ecoc2026.org, including the following details:

• Session title.
• Organizers: Name, affiliation, country, email address, and brief biography for, at least, two organizers.
• Description: Short and engaging summary of the symposium (under 100 words), key topics to address and target audience. Indicate whether the proposed topic has been covered in previous editions of ECOC.
• Motivation and Scope: Concise justification highlighting the timeliness and significance of the proposed topic (under 100 words). Explain why it is particularly relevant now, emphasizing its potential impact, novelty, and importance to the optical communications community.