Dear colleagues –

In the context of the ICSE 2026 Future of Software Engineering – Toward a Healthy Community, please find below/attached the results of the community survey.

We received 280 completed surveys. We appreciate everyone who contributed and provided their frank answers; without understanding where we collectively stand and how members of our community are feeling and experiencing their work, it would be difficult to make progress.

In analyzing and interpreting this data, we ask that you:

• Respect that some or many responses may be different from your opinion; not everyone’s experience is going to be the same;
• Take into account that individual responses are always shaped by the reward structures embedded in the system in which they work/live; and
• Each answer, thus, is not just an indicator of the current wellbeing of the SE community, but, much more importantly so, an indicator of where in the system there might be room for improvement.

We did not filter or alter any responses (except for one, where someone disclosed their specific institution), in favor of transparency – a problem aired is a problem shared.

We now enter into the next phase of the ICSE 2026 Track, which is for individuals and groups to submit position papers. Please note that these position papers can, but are not required to, be rooted in the results from the survey.

We look forward to your submissions!

Peggy & Andre