Commentary on: A Data-Based Approach to Evaluate Representation by Gender and Affiliation in Key Presentation Formats at the SER Annual Meeting.

In the article by Nobles et al (Am J Epidemiol. XXXX;XXX(XX):XXXX-XXXX), characteristics of those epidemiologists selected for various chair and presentation roles at the annual meetings of the Society for Epidemiologic Research (SER) from 2015 through 2017 were examined. Characteristics were compared, including inferred gender, institutional affiliation, subject area and h-index. Important disparities were observed between session chairs, speakers and poster presenters. SER leadership considers diversity and equity a priority and is committed to positive change. New programs and processes have been employed to broaden participation and improve diversity since 2018, but SER must continue its efforts to change processes and to monitor of the experiences of SER members. A diversity of perspectives within the SER membership and at its meetings will improve all aspects of our practice of epidemiology.