AESOP CALL FOR THE ESTABLISHMENT OF A PROFESSIONALIZATION TASK FORCE
Deadline for applications: June the 6th, 2025
Context
The management of AESOP has grown increasingly complex in recent years, particularly due to legal and financial considerations. This challenge has become even more evident as the association resumed its full range of activities after the COVID-19 pandemic.
The 2024 Annual Congress in Paris welcomed over 1,200 delegates, and similar—if not larger—numbers are expected for the 2025 Congress in Istanbul. At the same time, AESOP’s membership and activities continue to expand, including:
- Annual Congresses
- Heads of Schools Meetings
- Lecture Series
- Young Academics (YA) Events
- AESOP Awards
- Excellence in Education Board Activities
- Quality Recognition Process
- AESOP Digital Archive
- Core Curriculum Revision
This growing scope of activities places increasing demands on the AESOP Executive Committee, and it particular on the Secretariat and Treasury Offices.
Unlike similar associations, AESOP has maintained a voluntary management model, where elected Executive Committee members serve on an unpaid basis, supported by part-time staff (assistants to the Secretary General and Treasurer) and ad hoc professionals (lawyers, accountants, IT specialist, repository manager). However, as external professional support needs continue to rise, it is worth exploring whether AESOP should transition towards a professionalized management structure, similar to that of the Regional Studies Association (RSA), European Regional Science Association (ERSA) and Association of Collegiate Schools of Planning (ACSP).
To facilitate a well-informed discussion among members, an exploratory study is needed to assess the potential benefits, challenges, and financial feasibility of adopting a professionalized operational model.
Objective and Activities of the Task Force
The Task Force will examine the opportunities and challenges associated with various professionalization models for AESOP functioning, including (but not necessarily limited to):
- Management
- Treasury
- Secretariat
- Accounting Support
- Legal Advisory Services
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform a benchmarking study of comparable organizations, such as RSA, ERSA, and ACSP, assessing their management structures.
- Conduct a cost-benefit analysis of different professionalization approaches.
- Evaluate feasibility based on AESOP’s membership and financial model.
The Task Force will work in close coordination with the AESOP Executive Committee to ensure a comprehensive understanding of AESOP’s evolving complexities.
Timeline
- June 27, 2025 – The AESOP Executive Committee will select up to three members for the Task Force from the applications received.
- July 7, 2025 – The Task Force will officially begin its work after the Council of Representatives (CoRep) Meeting at the AESOP 2025 Congress in Istanbul. Task Force members will be required to present their strategy and activity plan.
- July 15, 2025 – February 2026– The Task Force will operate for eight months, delivering:
- A detailed report on the opportunities and challenges of professionalization.
- A feasibility study for potential transition models.
- March 2026 – A representative from the Task Force will present their findings at the 2026 Heads of Schools Meeting (venue to be confirmed).
Budget
Participation in the Task Force is voluntary and non-remunerated. However, a budget of up to €5,000 is allocated to support:
- Workshops and in-person meetings
- Stakeholder interviews
- Learning visits to other associations
Reimbursement Policy – Any expense claims must be duly documented and processed through the AESOP Treasury.
Eligibility Criteria
Who Can Apply?
Individuals affiliated with Full AESOP Member institutions. Applicants may apply individually or as a consortium (max. 3 people).
Preferred Qualifications (Assets):
In-depth knowledge of AESOP’s structure and management demonstrated through previous institutional service. Experience in similar organizations, particularly in governance, administration, or management.
Selection Process:
The AESOP Executive Committee reserves the right to select multiple applications and define the composition of the Task Force as needed.
How to Apply
Submit your application by June 6, 2025, to:
Application Requirements:
- CV (max. 5 pages) – A Europass-style CV, highlighting relevant experience for the Task Force.
- Proposal (max. 3 pages) – A brief document outlining the proposed steps for conducting the study.
Accepted File Formats: .docx, .doc, .rtf, .pdf (attachments may include images, diagrams, tables, and figures). For large files, please send them as compressed .zip files.
For any further inquiries, please contact
