Designing the Microbes and Social Equity Symposium: A Novel Interdisciplinary Virtual Research Conference Based on Achieving Group-Directed Outputs

The Microbes and Social Equity working group was established in 2020 to foster discussions, research, education, and policy development on the connections between microorganisms and health at personal, societal, and environmental levels. In 2021, the group organized its first virtual symposium, which successfully brought together researchers for structured conversations on microbiome-related topics.

This perspective piece reflects on the symposium's organization, highlighting its unprecedented scale and format. The primary objectives included assembling interdisciplinary audiences, stimulating dialogue on critical research areas, and leveraging the group's diverse expertise to create actionable agendas for further engagement.

During the symposium, participants generated sixteen collaborative documents outlining ideas, resources, and strategies for promoting equity in beneficial microbial interactions. Notably, dedicated working sessions allowed for smaller group discussions, which received positive feedback. The working group concluded that future symposia should incorporate interactive workshops and collaborative periods to enhance content and facilitate attendees' work-related goals.