The annual meeting of the Society for Epidemiologic Research is a prominent showcase for epidemiologists to present their research and share their expertise with peers. There are multiple paths to being on a podium at the meeting, and that role has implications for not only the speaker but also the audience. The article by Nobles et al. (Am J Epidemiol. 2021;190(9):1710-1720) represents an innovative investigation of representation among speakers at 3 recent SER annual meetings, with a primary focus on gender. Women were significantly under-represented as symposium speakers, which is an important role at the meeting. Symposium talks are invited talks and thus recognition of stature in the field. However, women were not under-represented as speakers in the concurrent contributed sessions, which are not invited talks and undergo blinded peer review. This gender contrast between the speakers at concurrent contributed sessions and the symposia is likely due to the different submission processes for the 2 types of presentations, but it could also reflect the review processes. Although the symposia are highly informative and enjoyable components of the meetings, some modifications in the submission and evaluation processes may be beneficial.
Keywords: Society for Epidemiologic Research; gender; professional meetings.
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