Leadership and Speaker Diversity in the Endourological Society: A Retrospective Study 2017-2019 and 2023.

Abstract

A commitment to diversity and inclusivity within an organization can influence its success. The Endourological Society convened a task force to assess its baseline diversity and inclusivity. The aim of this investigation was to determine diversity across various spaces of the Society to better define imbalances and aid in long-term strategic planning. This task force assessed the Society's annual World Congress of Endourology and Technology programming from 2017 to 2019 and 2023 as well as leadership over the lifetime of the Society. In all programming areas, there was a domination of male speakers, predominantly those from North America. Similarly, women are largely underrepresented in Society leadership across the executive board, board of directors, committee chair positions, and Society award winners, although representation has increased since 2019. Based on these findings a diversity, equity, inclusion committee was established to actively work on increasing and supporting demographic diversity.