Submit Your Symposium Seeking innovative, emerging, or controversial topics

Symposia sessions are among the highlights of every SER meeting, offering members an opportunity to shape the program directly. All members of SER, including faculty, researchers, government epidemiologists, postdocs, and students, are encouraged to consider submitting a symposium proposal.

❓What makes a good proposal

We hope to receive symposium proposals reflecting the range of substantive and methodologic expertise of our members. We particularly encourage proposals on provocative topics that represent the rich diversity of issues addressed in epidemiology.

Typically, symposia are focused on innovative, emerging, or controversial topics. Successful symposia offer varying perspectives on the topic, with 3-5 speakers. We also encourage nontraditional formats, such as a point-counterpoint theme or a different way to engage attendees in the discussion. Please see this recorded webinar for tips on how to create a successful symposia proposal (Link).

Submission

Opens in August and Closes in September.

Opens Aug. 2026

✅ Virtual Presentation (Mid-Year Meeting)
✅ In Person Presentation (Annual Meeting)

How much time is allocated for each symposium?
Are presenters required to be members of SER?
Who is eligible to receive potential travel funds?

The Society may be able to offer up to $1000 total, per symposium. The funds are only available to individuals who are NOT members of SER and wouldn’t normally be attending the conference. Once a proposal is accepted, session chairs will be asked to submit a justification for funds to Executive Director, Sue Bevan.
When are symposia sessions?

Symposium submissions can be considered for both the mid-year meeting, a live web-conference to be held February 9-13, 2026, and the annual meeting in Phoenix, AZ, June 23-26, 2026. At the time of submission, you will have the option to indicate which meeting you would like your proposal to be considered, the annual meeting or the mid-year meeting.
Can I present in multiple podium presentations?

Submissions are now closed. 2027 Submissions will open in August 2026.

2025 - Symposia Submission

Name *

Email *

Affiliation *

Are you a member of SER? *

Yes

Session Chair Details

Proposed Session Chair *

Proposed Chair Email *

Proposed Chair Affiliation *

Proposed Chair Career Status *

Add Co-Chair Remove Co-Chair

Symposium Overview

Symposium Title *

Symposium Description (1500 characters or less) *

In 3-4 sentences, explain how you have considered diversity (for example, by institution, career stage, areas of expertise, and socio-demographic backgrounds, including gender, sexual orientation, race/ethnicity, country of origin, and socio-economic status) in putting together the symposium topic and speakers. (400 characters or less) *

Proposed Speaker Details

Proposed Speaker Name *

Proposed Speaker Affiliation *

Proposed Speaker Email *

Proposed Speaker Talk Title *

If this speaker is a discussant, please list 'discussant' as the Talk Title.

Speaker has confirmed participation should the session be accepted.

Yes

Add Speaker Remove Speaker

Allocation of Time

Each session will be allocated 90 minutes. Please provide a listing of how the 90 minutes will be allocated between the speakers (including discussants). *

Submission Options

Annual Meeting (Boston, MA, June 10-13, 2025)

Mid Year Meeting (February 10-14, 2025)

Either

The SER D&I committee would like to identify a limited number of sessions that center D&I-related topics, broadly defined. We will be highlighting these sessions to promote awareness and attendance by SER members.

Would you like your proposal to be considered?

Yes

If you are human, leave this field blank.