2025 cycle "AI, Bias and the New Europe" has officially ended... Awardees announced on the Official page
The European Sociological Essay Olympiad
Celebrating Sociological Inquiry and Academic Excellence
Since its establishment in 2019, the European Sociological Essay Olympiad (ESEO) has developed into a distinguished annual competition that unites secondary school students from across Europe in a shared pursuit of sociological understanding through essay writing. Founded by a dedicated group of sociologists and educators across Europe, ESEO aims to foster critical thinking and sociological literacy by providing students with a platform to engage thoughtfully with contemporary social issues.​
The Olympiad challenges participants to investigate complex sociological themes, encouraging analytical rigor, critical reflection, and original argumentation on topics such as social structures, inequalities, and cultural transformation. Beyond competition, ESEO serves as a catalyst for intellectual growth, motivating students to deepen their engagement with the social sciences and consider future academic or professional pathways in the field
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Conducted annually with a strong emphasis on academic integrity and rigorous evaluation, ESEO promotes scholarly exchange and cultural dialogue among Europe’s youth. Essays are assessed by an expert panel of sociologists, with exceptional contributions recognized through awards and unique opportunities Through this process, ESEO aspires to nurture a generation of informed, thoughtful individuals prepared to address the complex social challenges of our time.
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The ESEO Mission
Each year, students from universities and higher education institutions across Europe are nominated by their institutions to compete in a rigorous essay competition focused on a selected sociological theme. The competition runs from March to September, with participants submitting essays in one of ESEO's official languages: English, French, German, or Spanish.
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Encourage critical thinking and sociological reasoning on urgent social, political, and cultural challenges shaping contemporary Europe and the global community. Through thought-provoking essay topics, we invite students to confront issues of inequality, identity, technology, and governance from a rigorous sociological perspective
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Provide a platform for academic exchange among students from diverse national, linguistic, and cultural backgrounds. By creating a space where ideas, theories, and perspectives can be shared beyond national borders, ESEO promotes mutual understanding, intellectual cooperation, and the development of a European academic community rooted in dialogue and respect.​
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Recognize and celebrate emerging talent in sociology through a merit-based, anonymous essay competition. ESEO identifies and honors students with exceptional analytical skills, original sociological insight, and a capacity for critical reflection on the structures and narratives that shape modern societies.
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Contribute to the cultivation of a new generation of socially engaged sociological thinkers equipped to interrogate the complexities of today’s world and contribute meaningfully to policy, research, and public debate.
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Ultimately, ESEO strives to build a lasting network of students, educators, and institutions committed to advancing the sociological imagination as a tool for understanding and improving European social life.