Over the last years, members of the interdisciplinary 'Beyond the genome'-project have explored the ethical dimensions of proteomics and other data-intensive (omics) research. This exploration has led us to questions about benefits & risks, privacy & re-identification, labor, Open Science, dealing with uncertainty, but also to questions related to diversity, representation and inclusion in (prote)omics research.
To celebrate the ending of the project, we are organising an interdisciplinary symposium on diversity in (prote)omics on Monday 11 May 2026. This symposium is an opportunity for experts and interested scholars from various disciplines to come together and open conversations on topics like diversity, difference, representation, equity, inclusion, and bias in (prote)omics. Specifically, the symposium will focus on the following aspects of diversity:
- Diversity in (prote)omic study populations
- Diversity in (prote)omic researchers
- The impact of Open Science frameworks on diversity and equity in (prote)omics
Keynote speakers: Bryan Gonzales (Universiteit Gent), Louise Bezuidenhout (Universiteit Leiden), and Wout Bittremieux (Universiteit Antwerpen).
Participation in the symposium is free upon registration.
Registration deadline: 1 May 2026, 23:59 CST
Abstract submission deadline: 10 April 2026, 23:59 CST
Interdisciplinary symposium
Diversity, representation, equity, inclusion, and bias are of interest to various disciplines and stakeholders. With this symposium, we want to bring together these different disciplines and stakeholders to share knowledge, experiences, interests related to (prote)omics and diversity in research and facilitate interdisciplinary conversations.
Therefore, we welcome participation and abstract submissions by researchers and experts from the life and computer sciences (e.g., proteomics/protein research, metabolomics, microbiomics, genomics, (bio)informatics), humanities (e.g., ethics, philosophy, health humanities, law), social sciences (e.g., STS, regulatory studies, political science) and other academic or professional fields. Additionally, we also welcome policy-makers and advocacy groups (e.g., patient organisations).
To promote the diversity of perspectives in this event, we participation and abstract submission is not limited to those with expertise specifically on diversity in the (prote)omics context. We also encourage participation and abstract submissions from:
- (prote)omics-oriented researchers interested in questions of diversity, difference, bias, equity, inclusion, etc. in their field
- humanities and social science scholars/policy-makers and advocacy groups working on diversity, difference, bias, equity, inclusion, etc. in the (life) sciences more broadly
For registration form and call for abstracts, see the tabs above.
More information
Any further inquiries on the content or practical organisation of this symposium may be directed to the organizers.