The IDM Symposium brought together researchers and allied professionals from across the world who are employing a modelling lens to support global efforts to eradicate (infectious) diseases and achieve permanent improvements in health and global development. The theme for 2023’s Symposium was Frontiers in Modelling & Data Science for Global Health. Sessions spanned a wide array of highly relevant topics - from modelling infection inequity to addressing gender disparities (for instance in HIV infection and prevention) and capacity strengthening efforts targeted towards infectious disease modellers.

The Symposium closed on a note of particular relevance, with a panel dedicated to taking a gendered approach to research and data collection. During the discussion, chaired by BMGF’s Diva Dhar, panellists Sylvia Muyingo, Sonalde Desai, Naa Dodoo and Luisa Flor highlighted persisting issues with gaining access to sex-disaggregated data for different conditions and how this hinders our understanding of the impact of sex on infectious disease acquisition and outcomes. The panel also explored the challenges involved in adequately capturing data on gender identity to analyse and address health disparities.

The importance of incorporating social science disciplines and in actively involving affected communities (including cis men) in the research process was repeatedly cited. Incorporating these perspectives provides crucial insights about contextual factors which can determine the quality of the data captured and research findings produced. One such consideration was the site of data collection when obtaining information about sensitive topics like sexual behaviour or intimate partner violence. A participant’s place of residence may not be the most appropriate venue to collect such information.

For WinC, the symposium provided an opportunity to share our work with members of the modelling community. On day 1, we presented a poster detailing the early findings of our baseline survey to capture training and development needs. The poster garnered a high level of interest among attendees across career stages and gender identities and sparked discussion around the gaps that people identified within their own institutions.

On the Thursday following the Symposium, these conversations progressed further through an informal gathering of women and non-binary people working at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation (IHME). Our discussions echoes many of the findings from the baseline survey and early key informant interviews. Namely, the benefit of informal networks, the value of having champions and mentors to promote and amplify one’s work, and the need for cis-men to show solidarity in their words and actions. 

With thanks to the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation for convening this Symposium, to all event participants and speakers and to the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation for providing a forum for a post-Symposium discussion.