ABSTRACT
Getting together to exchange ideas, forge collaborations, and disseminate knowledge is a long-standing tradition of scientific communities. How conferences are serving the community, what their current challenges are, and what is in store for the future of conferences are the topics covered in this Commentary.
Subject(s)
Congresses as Topic , Science , Career Mobility , Congresses as Topic/trends , Cooperative Behavior , Science/organization & administration , Science/trends , Social Networking , WorkforceSubject(s)
Congresses as Topic , Videoconferencing , Congresses as Topic/organization & administration , Congresses as Topic/standards , Congresses as Topic/trends , Research Personnel , Travel , Videoconferencing/organization & administration , Videoconferencing/standards , Videoconferencing/supply & distribution , Videoconferencing/trendsABSTRACT
The third 'Symposium for the Next Generation of Stem Cell Research' (SY-Stem) was held virtually on 3-5 March 2021, having been cancelled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As in previous years, the meeting highlighted the work of early career researchers, ranging from postgraduate students to young group leaders working in developmental and stem cell biology. Here, we summarize the excellent work presented at the Symposium, which covered topics ranging from pluripotency, species-specific aspects of development and emerging technologies, through to organoids, single-cell technology and clinical applications.
Subject(s)
Congresses as Topic/organization & administration , Inventions/trends , Stem Cell Research , Animals , COVID-19/epidemiology , Cell Differentiation , Congresses as Topic/history , Congresses as Topic/trends , History, 21st Century , Humans , Internet , Inventions/history , Online Systems , Pandemics , Single-Cell Analysis/methods , Single-Cell Analysis/trends , Stem Cell Research/history , Stem Cells/physiology , Tissue Culture Techniques/methods , Tissue Culture Techniques/trendsABSTRACT
Researchers and scientific organizations are becoming aware of the greenhouse-gas emissions and waste associated with attending scientific conferences. Fledgling efforts are now underway to address this problem by offering carbon offsets, recycling at conferences, reducing conference travel, or replacing meetings with teleconferences.
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Congresses as Topic/trends , Conservation of Energy Resources , Congresses as Topic/economics , Medical Laboratory Personnel , Telecommunications/trendsSubject(s)
Congresses as Topic , Fossil Fuels , Global Warming , Renewable Energy , Sustainable Development , Fossil Fuels/supply & distribution , Global Warming/legislation & jurisprudence , Global Warming/prevention & control , Congresses as Topic/trends , Sustainable Development/legislation & jurisprudence , Sustainable Development/trends , Renewable Energy/legislation & jurisprudenceSubject(s)
Congresses as Topic , Extreme Weather , Global Warming , International Cooperation , Relief Work , Congresses as Topic/trends , Developed Countries/economics , Developing Countries/economics , Global Warming/economics , Global Warming/legislation & jurisprudence , Global Warming/statistics & numerical data , International Cooperation/legislation & jurisprudence , Relief Work/economics , Relief Work/legislation & jurisprudenceABSTRACT
The East African Society of Physiological Sciences (EASPS) identified many problems associated with the practice and impact of physiology training and graduates within the region. The EASPS, in conjunction with the African Association of Physiological Sciences (AAPS), resolved to tackle those identified problems in the region by organizing a regional conference in Tanzania between November 29, 2023, and December 1, 2023. The conference was successful with remarkable achievements, including production of Physiology Curriculum for African Universities (PhysioCAFUN); launching of the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) African Physiology Mentoring Program; educational workshops on physiology teaching and skills acquisition; plenary sessions on various inspiring scientific topics for advancement of research capacities and current trends in physiological sciences; presentation of abstracts by authors and publishing of the abstracts as edited conference proceedings in the Journal of African Association of Physiological Sciences; presentation of awards to the top 10 abstracts and 7 other key Local Organizing Committee members and partners; first annual general meeting of the EASPS members; networking of participants within and beyond Africa; and recognition of the formation processes of national physiological societies in Rwanda, Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The joint East African Society of Physiological Sciences (EASPS)-African Association of Physiological Sciences (AAPS) conference in Tanzania was a successful event where we launched the Physiology Curriculum for African Universities (PhysioCAFUN) and the International Union of Physiological Sciences (IUPS) Physiology Mentoring Program in Africa. We also organized educational workshops on physiology functional tests that equipped participants with practical skills. Authors presented their peer-reviewed abstracts, which have now been published in the Journal of African Association of Physiological Sciences. Participants attended from 24 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and United States.
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Congresses as Topic , Physiology , Humans , Physiology/education , Tanzania , Congresses as Topic/trends , Curriculum , Biomedical Research/education , Societies, Scientific/trends , Africa, EasternABSTRACT
Imrana Ghumra, Past Health Libraries Group (HLG) Co-Chair and now HLG Conference Lead, revisits recent HLG conferences before sharing details of the exciting programme for 2024. Hosted at the Royal College of Physicians, London, 19-21 June 2024, the conference embraces the benefits of a hybrid event, offering both in-person and online opportunities to networking and to catch up with colleagues from across the country, across sectors and the profession, and embracing ideas and best practice.
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Congresses as Topic , Libraries, Medical , Humans , Libraries, Medical/trends , Congresses as Topic/trendsSubject(s)
Climate Change , Congresses as Topic , Developed Countries , International Cooperation , Politics , Climate , Climate Change/economics , Climate Change/statistics & numerical data , Developed Countries/economics , Time Factors , International Cooperation/legislation & jurisprudence , Congresses as Topic/legislation & jurisprudence , Congresses as Topic/trendsSubject(s)
Climate Change , Congresses as Topic , Environmental Policy , International Cooperation , Egypt , Environmental Policy/legislation & jurisprudence , International Cooperation/legislation & jurisprudence , Global Warming/legislation & jurisprudence , Global Warming/prevention & control , Congresses as Topic/legislation & jurisprudence , Congresses as Topic/trendsABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual conferences provide a much-needed alternative to cancelled meetings. Here are insights and lessons from organizing a virtual meeting.
Subject(s)
Congresses as Topic , Virtual Reality , Congresses as Topic/trends , Forecasting , Humans , Type VI Secretion SystemsSubject(s)
COVID-19 , Congresses as Topic/organization & administration , Congresses as Topic/trends , Research Personnel , Videoconferencing/trends , COVID-19/epidemiology , Carbon Footprint , Congresses as Topic/economics , Humans , Pandemics , Research Personnel/economics , Research Personnel/organization & administration , Videoconferencing/economicsABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Over the last few decades, advances have been made regarding gender equality starting from medical students to trainees, to leadership in academics. The female representation in specialty academic conferences not only reflects the existing gender disparities in that specialty but also can influence young female trainees to join that field. Digestive Disease Week (DDW) is the premier digestive disease event. We aimed to calculate the proportion of female representation among speakers and moderators at the DDW meetings held from 2018 to 2020. METHODS: The data for DDW 2018-2020 were collected via the online web-based planner. The gender of speakers of presentations and moderators of sessions were identified by a google search. We further categorized the data by each participating society (AGA, ASGE, AASLD, and SSAT), by presentation track, by session track, and total overall representation in each year. RESULTS: Despite the subject of the gender gap being in focus, the proportion of female moderators and speakers was low in DDW in the last 3 years. The female speakers constituted 31.6% in 2018, 33.8% in 2019 and 34.6% in 2020. There was slightly improved female representation in sessions of Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Stomach, and Small Bowel Disorders, Microbiome in GI & Liver disease, and Basic Science over the last 3 years. CONCLUSION: Based on our study and those referenced in this article, we believe that strategies to promote the inclusivity of female moderators and speakers at DDW provide a huge opportunity to influence gender equity within GI.
Subject(s)
Congresses as Topic/trends , Gastroenterology/trends , Physicians, Women/trends , Digestive System Diseases , Humans , Societies, MedicalABSTRACT
The 6th Cardiovascular Outcome Trial (CVOT) Summit "Cardiovascular and Renal Outcomes 2020" was the first to be held virtually on October 29-30, 2020. As in previous years, this summit served as reference meeting for in-depth discussions on the topic of recently completed and presented major outcome trials. This year, focus was placed on the outcomes of VERTIS-CV, EMPEROR-Reduced, DAPA-CKD, and FIDELIO-DKD. Trial implications for diabetes management and the impact on new treatment algorithms were highlighted for diabetologists, cardiologists, endocrinologists, nephrologists, and general practitioners. Discussion evolved from major outcome trials using SGLT-2 inhibitors for treatment and prevention of heart failure and chronic kidney disease in people with and without diabetes, to additional therapy options for chronic kidney disease with a novel mineralocorticoid receptor antagonist. Furthermore, challenges in diabetes management like COVID-19 and obesity, as well as novel treatment strategies and guidelines, were discussed.The 7th Cardiovascular Outcome Trial Summit will be held virtually on November, 18-19, 2021 ( http://www.cvot.org ).
Subject(s)
COVID-19/epidemiology , Cardiovascular Diseases/epidemiology , Clinical Trials as Topic/methods , Congresses as Topic/trends , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/epidemiology , Research Report/trends , COVID-19/therapy , Cardiovascular Diseases/therapy , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/epidemiology , Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2/therapy , Humans , Kidney/drug effects , Kidney/physiology , Mineralocorticoid Receptor Antagonists/administration & dosage , Renal Insufficiency, Chronic/therapy , Sodium-Glucose Transporter 2 Inhibitors/administration & dosage , Treatment OutcomeABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: Medical schools and surgical residencies have seen an increase in the proportion of female matriculants, with 30% of current vascular surgery trainees being women over the past decade. There is widespread focus on increasing diversity in medicine and surgery in an effort to provide optimal quality of patient care and the advancement of science. The presence of gender diversity and opportunities to identify with women in leadership positions positively correlates with women choosing to enter traditionally male-dominated fields. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the representation of women in regional and national vascular surgical societies over the last 20 years. METHODS: A retrospective review of the meeting programs of vascular surgery societies was performed. Data were collected on abstract presenters, moderators, committee members and chairs, and officers (president, president-elect, vice president, secretary, and treasurer). The data were divided into early (1999-2009) and late (2010-2019) time periods. RESULTS: Five regional and five national societies' data were analyzed, including 139 meetings. The mean percentage of female abstract presenters increased significantly from 10.9% in the early period to 20.6% in the late period (P < .001). Female senior authors increased slightly from 8.7% to 11.5%, but this change was not statistically significant (P = .22). Female meeting moderators increased significantly from 7.8% to 17.2% (P < .001), as well as female committee members increased from 10.9% to 20.3% (P = .003). Female committee chairs increased slightly from 10.9% to 16.9%, but this difference was not statistically significant (P = .13). Female society officers increased considerably from 6.4% to 14.8%. (P = .002). Significant variation was noted between societies, with five societies (three regional and two national) having less than 10% women at the officer level in 2019. There was a wide variation noted between societies in the percentage of female abstract presenters (range, 7.6%-34.9%), senior authors (3.9%-17.9%), and meeting moderators (5.4%-40.7%). CONCLUSIONS: Over the past two decades, there has been a significant increase in the representation of women in vascular surgery societies among those presenting scientific work, serving as meeting moderators, and serving as committee members. However, the representation of women among committee chairs, senior authors, and society leadership has not kept up pace with the increase noted at other levels. Efforts to recruit women into the field of vascular surgery as well as to support the professional development of female vascular surgeons are facilitated by the presence of women in leadership roles. Increasing the representation of women in vascular society leadership positions may be a key strategy in promoting gender diversity in the vascular surgery field.
Subject(s)
Gender Equity , Physicians, Women/trends , Sexism/trends , Societies, Medical/trends , Surgeons/trends , Vascular Surgical Procedures/trends , Advisory Committees/trends , Committee Membership , Congresses as Topic/trends , Female , Humans , Leadership , Male , Mentors , Retrospective Studies , Sex Factors , Surgeons/education , Vascular Surgical Procedures/educationABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION: Prior work suggests women surgical role models attract more female medical students into surgical training. We investigate recent trends of women in surgical society leadership and national conference moderator and plenary speaker roles. METHODS: Gender distribution was surveyed at 15 major surgical societies and 14 conferences from 2014 to 2018 using publicly reported data. Roles were categorized as leadership (executive council), moderator, or plenary speaker. Data were cross-checked from online profiles and by contacting societies. Logistic regression with Huber-White clustering by society was utilized to evaluate proportions of women in each role over time and determine associations between the proportion of women in executive leadership, and scientific session moderators and plenary speakers. RESULTS: The proportion of leadership positions held by women increased slightly from 2014 to 2018 (20.6%-26.6%, P = 0.23), as did the proportion of moderators (26.2%-30.6%, P = 0.027) and plenary speakers (26.2%-30.9%, P = 0.058). The proportion of women in each role varied significantly across societies (all P < 0.001): leaders (range 0.0%-52.0%), moderators (12.5%-58.8%), and plenary speakers (11.3%-60.0%). Three patterns of change were observed: eight societies (53.3%) demonstrated increases in representation of women over time, four societies (26.6%) showed stable moderate-to-good gender balance, and three societies (20.0%) had consistent underrepresentation of women. CONCLUSION: There is significant variability in the representation of women at the leadership level of national surgical societies and participating at national surgical conferences as moderators and plenary speakers. Over the past 5 years some societies have achieved advances in gender equity, but many societies still have substantial room for improvement.
Subject(s)
Congresses as Topic/organization & administration , Gender Equity , Leadership , Physicians, Women/organization & administration , Sexism/trends , Societies, Medical/organization & administration , Specialties, Surgical/organization & administration , Congresses as Topic/trends , Female , Humans , Logistic Models , Male , Physicians, Women/trends , Societies, Medical/trends , Specialties, Surgical/trends , United StatesABSTRACT
Electronic resources have changed surgical education in the 21st century. Resources spanning from digital textbooks to multiple choice question banks, online society meetings, and social media can facilitate surgical education. The COVID pandemic drastically changed the paradigm for education. The ramifications of Zoom lectures and online surgical society meetings will last into the future. Educators and learners can be empowered by the many available electronic resources to enhance surgical training and education.