ICSE 2026 - School of Empirical Studies in Software Engineering

Sun 12 - Sat 18 April 2026 Rio de Janeiro, Brazil

Our target audience is graduate students from Brazilian programs pursuing master’s or Ph.D. degrees and conducting research in Software Engineering. Participants will be invited to design a protocol for an empirical study, such as a controlled experiment, case study, survey, action research, or ethnography, focused on a topic relevant to their ongoing research.

This is the second edition of the School, which is designed to guide participants through the main stages of planning an empirical study: formulating and refining research questions, selecting appropriate methods, and defining initial procedures and data analysis plans.

Often, when we receive peer-review feedback on a submitted paper, we are presented with valuable critiques that highlight issues rooted in early design decisions. At that stage, however, changes are no longer feasible. Feedback from external researchers typically comes only after the study has been conducted, either through reviews or conference presentations. This School aims to shift that moment of reflection to the early, planning phase of empirical studies, enabling researchers to gain insights and make informed decisions before the study is carried out.

Designing an empirical study is a creative, iterative, and collaborative process. The School encourages this by supporting the development of multiple versions of study protocols, based on the guidelines presented in lectures and activities, and enriched through feedback from peers and instructors during group discussions and review rounds.

Format

The School will be conducted in a hybrid format, organized into three phases: a one-day in-person session at the ICSE venue and two sets of remote activities scheduled before and after the event.

In the first phase, which will take place remotely over approximately one month before the in-person event, participants will attend lectures and hands-on activities designed to help them develop elements of their study protocols. At the end of this phase, they will receive initial feedback from instructors.

The second phase will occur during the in-person event at ICSE. Participants will present their draft study protocols, discuss potential improvements, and receive feedback from their peers.

In the final phase, following the event, participants will revise and submit an improved version of their protocol. This version will undergo a second round of instructor review.

Based on previous ICSE schedules, the in-person session of the School will likely take place on Tuesday, the day before the main conference begins. However, this date is yet to be confirmed. Additional details about the School’s organization will be shared soon.

Eligibility

Participants must:

be enrolled in a master’s or doctoral program in Brazil between January and April 2026.
be conducting a research project in Software Engineering.
have prior knowledge of Software Engineering fundamentals and scientific methodology.

Application Procedure and Selection Process

Each submission consists of two elements:

An online form filled out by the student: https://bit.ly/eees2026-inscricao
A letter of recommendation from the student’s supervisor. The letter should certify the student’s knowledge of the fundamentals of Software Engineering and Scientific Methodology, and explain how participation in the School will contribute to the development of the student’s research project. The letter should be submitted by the supervisor in a PDF format, using this form: https://bit.ly/eees2026-carta.

Both must be received by ~~October 26, 2025, AoE~~ December 07, 2025, AoE . Submissions received after this date will not be considered. Notifications will be sent by December 19, 2025, AoE.

Should you have any questions, please email us at escola.eees@gmail.com.

Sponsors

Financial support is made possible thanks to the generous support of ACM SIGSOFT. Each selected participant is eligible for financial support of up to 550 USD (or the equivalent amount in Brazilian reais or euros) to reimburse expenses related to registration (Student member single-day fee - early), transportation, accommodation, and meals.

Time Zone

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Tue 14 Apr
Displayed time zone: Brasilia, Distrito Federal, Brazil change

08:00 - 17:30	Tuesday Quiet RoomSocial, Networking and Special Rooms at Capri V Quiet Room for you to relax or work in a peaceful environment during ICSE 2026.

08:00 9h30m Other		Quiet Room Social, Networking and Special Rooms

08:00 - 19:00	Tuesday RegistrationSocial, Networking and Special Rooms at Main Entrance Registration for ICSE 2026.

08:00 11h Registration		ICSE 2026 Registration Social, Networking and Special Rooms

09:00 - 10:30	Opening + Discussion Group 1School of Empirical Studies in SE at Bora Bora IV Chair(s): Maria Lydia Fioravanti University of São Paulo & Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Lilian Passos Scatalon State University of Maringá - UEM, Pedro Henrique Valle University of São Paulo - USP Participants: Alcione Jandir Candéas Ramos Andréia de Barros Carpi Maria Raquel Lopes de Couto Tatiana Cartagena

09:00 90m Day opening		Opening + Discussion Group 1 School of Empirical Studies in SE Maria Lydia Fioravanti University of São Paulo & Universidad Politécnica de Madrid

09:00 - 12:30	Tuesday Morning Child CareSocial, Networking and Special Rooms at Ibiza III Child Care services available during ICSE 2026 to support attendees with children.

09:00 3h30m Other		Child Care Social, Networking and Special Rooms

10:30 - 11:00	Tuesday Morning BreakCatering at Catering and Exhibition Hall (Europa I to IV) This break will provide an opportunity for networking and relaxation between sessions.

10:30 30m Coffee break		Break Catering

11:00 - 12:30	Discussion Group 2School of Empirical Studies in SE at Bora Bora IV Chair(s): Maria Lydia Fioravanti University of São Paulo & Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Lilian Passos Scatalon State University of Maringá - UEM, Pedro Henrique Valle University of São Paulo - USP Participants: Ayumi Aoki Santana João Antônio Misson Milhorim Raphael Oliveira Cabral Renato de Souza Garcia

11:00 90m Talk		Discussion Group 2 School of Empirical Studies in SE Maria Lydia Fioravanti University of São Paulo & Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Lilian Passos Scatalon State University of Maringá - UEM, Pedro Henrique Valle University of São Paulo - USP

12:30 - 14:00	Tuesday LunchCatering at Catering and Exhibition Hall (Europa I to IV) Lunch time with a variety of meal options available for attendees, including vegetarian choices. This session will provide an opportunity for attendees to enjoy a meal while networking with colleagues and discussing the day’s events.

12:30 90m Lunch		Lunch Catering

14:00 - 15:30	Discussion Group 3School of Empirical Studies in SE at Bora Bora IV Chair(s): Maria Lydia Fioravanti University of São Paulo & Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Lilian Passos Scatalon State University of Maringá - UEM, Pedro Henrique Valle University of São Paulo - USP Participants: Lucas Reis Abreu Moniely Silva Barboza José Weverton Barros da Silva Yohan Duarte Pessanha

14:00 90m Talk		Discussion Group 3 School of Empirical Studies in SE Maria Lydia Fioravanti University of São Paulo & Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Lilian Passos Scatalon State University of Maringá - UEM, Pedro Henrique Valle University of São Paulo - USP

14:00 - 17:00	Tuesday Afternoon Child CareSocial, Networking and Special Rooms at Ibiza III Child Care services available during ICSE 2026 to support attendees with children.

14:00 3h Other		Child Care Social, Networking and Special Rooms

15:30 - 16:00	Tuesday Afternoon BreakCatering at Catering and Exhibition Hall (Europa I to IV) Afternoon Break with a variety of beverages and snacks available for attendees. This break will provide an opportunity for networking and relaxation between sessions.

15:30 30m Coffee break		Break Catering

16:00 - 18:00	Discussion Group 4 + Q&A SessionSchool of Empirical Studies in SE at Bora Bora IV Chair(s): Maria Lydia Fioravanti University of São Paulo & Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Lilian Passos Scatalon State University of Maringá - UEM, Pedro Henrique Valle University of São Paulo - USP Participants: Andressa de Souza Silva Medeiros Cristiane Alves Estevo da Silva Israely Lima de Oliveira Vinicius Feitosa Gonçalves

16:00 2h Talk		Discussion Group 4 + Q&A Session School of Empirical Studies in SE Maria Lydia Fioravanti University of São Paulo & Universidad Politécnica de Madrid, Lilian Passos Scatalon State University of Maringá - UEM, Pedro Henrique Valle University of São Paulo - USP

18:00 - 22:00	ICSE Steering Committee MeetingMeetings and BOF Events at Capri IV Dinner will be included for members.

18:00 4h Meeting		ICSE Steering Committee Meeting Meetings and BOF Events Arie van Deursen TU Delft, Margaret-Anne Storey University of Victoria

19:00 - 21:00	ICSE ReceptionSocial, Networking and Special Rooms at Catering and Exhibition Hall (Europa I to IV) A reception for all attendees to network and socialize. Join us for an evening of fun and connection at ICSE 2026!

19:00 2h Meeting		ICSE Reception Social, Networking and Special Rooms

19:00 - 21:00	ICSE Newcomer ReceptionSocial, Networking and Special Rooms at Europa II A special reception to welcome newcomers to ICSE 2026. Join us for an evening of networking and fun!

19:00 2h Meeting		ICSE Newcomer Reception Social, Networking and Special Rooms

The theoretical content will be provided as recorded asynchronous classes, allowing participants to progress at their own pace. In addition, there will be live and/or recorded talks with invited researchers, which will also remain available for later access and for those unable to attend in real time. The program will also include practical exercises and partial deliverables, encouraging the application of learned concepts and the gradual development of research projects. To promote interaction and collaborative learning, an online channel will be available for participants to exchange ideas, ask questions, and share experiences throughout the course.