The International Society for Experimental Hematology (ISEH) is a global community of scientists dedicated to generating scientific knowledge and promoting its clinical application in a fair and equitable manner to improve human health. We aim to promote scientific advancements and disseminate knowledge in the fields of hematology, immunology, stem cell research, cell and gene therapy, and other related research topics. This goal is achieved through support and engagement of investigators at all career stages, with a particular focus on early career stages, in part through the organization of annual meetings to celebrate and disseminate research advances in our fields. Furthermore, our society provides organizational opportunities for researchers at all stages to shape the activities of the society.
Our society firmly believes that the scientific community is stronger with the active participation and leadership of people with diverse identities, perspectives, and backgrounds. We are committed to providing an inclusive, respectful, safe, and welcoming environment, to promote the sharing, discussion, and exchange of basic, clinical and translational findings, which can empower scientists at all career levels. We realize that the strength of our society depends on constantly and proactively improving inclusivity, and we welcome input in our efforts.
We encourage an environment where members of ISEH (or those who attend ISEH activities, including the annual meeting) feel that they belong. ISEH strives to maintain awareness of under-recognized groups and career stage balances in selected presenters and awards in activities run by the society. This commitment is exemplified in the representation on the board, committees, and members of ISEH from diverse regions of the world, as well as annual activities including:
- Meeting: Pre-meeting workshop to promote inclusion and mentorship of early-stage investigators; the addition of Wordly (a mobile app to increase accessibility of oral communication for people for whom English is a second language, or deaf or hard of hearing) to the annual meeting; diversity of research presented, including health care disparities in hematology. We welcome abstract submissions from all countries. Active ISEH members from World Bank developing countries are eligible to register at student rates irrespective of career stage.
- Awards: diversity of nominees and awardees, consideration given to career disruptions and non-linear career paths encountered by people from underrecognized groups.
- Committees: diversity of committee members by underrecognized groups in order to support a culture of respect and inclusion.
- Webinars: diversity of invited speakers and topics and closed captions available for all webinars.
- Committee selection: we are including voluntary demographic questions, including pronouns, on membership and meeting registrations as well as volunteer and leadership applications, in order to support a culture of respect and inclusion, and to better assess our progress and identify areas that need more targeted effort.
ISEH continually seeks feedback and is committed to continuing to advance and improve DEIA through new and innovative ways.