EPF Committees Framework

EPF Committees

In the Structure and Organisation of the EPF there are 3 Standing Committees: Executive Committee, Election Committee and the House Committee. These committees have a specific mandate and term of office.

In 2015 the first European Psychoanalytic Conference for University Students (EPCUS) was inaugurated by a team of EPF analysts. This has been an ongoing event taking place annually in the first weekend of October and has been successful. In 2025 EPCUS will be celebrating its tenth year.

In 2023 an EPF Archives Committee was inaugurated chaired by Jasminka Suljagic. An EPF Archivist was appointed and this newly formed committee is in the process of forming with new members and new projects.

From 2024 the Executive Committee has started to initiate more EPF Committees to widen the range of scientific activities offered by the EPF.

The EPF Committee Framework

The framework offers a normal committee composition as seen in the majority of IPA psychoanalytic societies including the IPA Committees. Most EPF Committees are scientific/heuristic and some are administrative e.g. the EPF Election Committee.

Composition of EPF Committees

There should usually be one Chair and one Honorary Secretary plus Ordinary Members, perhaps with specific tasks. Each member of each committee should preferably represent a different EPF Society although this is not essential. Moreover, it is acceptable for members to belong to the same Society.

Appointment and Mandate

The Executive Committee appoints each EPF Scientific Committee upon consideration of each application. The mandate is normally for four years although this can be extended. A Report on the work of the Committee will be sent annually to the General Secretary of the EPF Executive. All committees should be self-governing.

The EPF House

All EPF Committees are welcome to make use of the EPF House for meetings, workshops and conferences. Proposals should be sent to the Manager of the EPF House.

The EPF Website

Each EPF Committee will have its place on the EPF Website to announce its topic and further details. There should also be an indication of whether there are spaces for more analysts to join the Committee.

The EPF Annual Conferences

Each EPF Committee will have the opportunity to present their work during the Annual Conference (precongress workshops and/or a panel at the Main Programme). This will depend on the proposal and space permitting).

Funding

Committees can apply to the EPF Executive to fund aspects of its work e.g. for travel to the EPF House.

Research

The work of all EPF Committees will include psychoanalytic research through cultivating ideas, writing papers and offering conferences and workshops. When a fully evolved research project is ready the group may apply to become an EPF Working Party.

Categories of EPF Committees – Administrative and Scientific

Standing Committees of the EPF Constitution

Executive Committee – Administrative/Scientific

Election Committee - Governance

House Committee – Administrative/Scientific

EPF Committee added in 2015 and 2023

2015 European Psychoanalytic Conference for University Students (EPCUS) – Scientific/Outreach

2023 Archives Committee – Scientific/History/Outreach

Proposals pending and in process

Ecology and Psychoanalysis – Scientific/Outreach

Webinar – Scientific/Outreach

Humanitarian/Ethics – Scientific/Outreach

University Liaison Committee (incorporating EPCUS) – Academic/Outreach

Sexuality, Gender, Identity - Scientific/Outreach