The European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR), founded in 1970, is a non-profit organization promoting basic and clinical science related to dermatology. The ESDR is the largest investigative dermatology society in Europe with a current membership of about 1100.
By supporting investigative dermatology and skin research, the ESDR contributes to in-depth understanding of skin homeostasis and towards improving the health of patients suffering from skin and venereal disease, infectious diseases and immune-mediated and inflammatory disorders. Applications of recent scientific advances have produced diagnostic and therapeutic innovations in dermatological practice, particularly in genetics, skin cancer, allergic skin disease, infectious disease and autoimmune diseases.
The ESDR facilitates exchange of information relevant to investigative dermatology between clinicians and scientists worldwide. One of the most important activities of our Society is to promote the presentation of new research data and ideas at our annual scientific meeting and clinically oriented symposia. The ESDR also organises educational events throughout the year to further knowledge in dermatological research.
Diversity Statement
The European Society for Dermatological Research (ESDR) is committed to support outstanding dermatological research conducted in diverse and inclusive environments offering researchers equal opportunities without any consideration to birthplace, social circumstances, religious choices and personal preferences. The ESDR believes that diversity helps to shape the research community, strengthens its cohesion, and directly contributes to the quality of research. Diversity is recognized by the ESDR as relevant to a wide range of social identifiers including age, race, religion, ethnicity, socio-economic sector, gender identity, sexual orientation, ability level and geographic context. To increase diversity within the ESDR and the broader dermatological research community, the Society has established a permanent Diversity Committee. The Committee has prepared this Diversity Statement of Intent as well as an operational Diversity Plan to structure ESDR’s activities over the coming years.
Diversity Plan
- ESDR Board and diversity
During its operation, the ESDR Board has and will continue to prioritize the importance of diversity. A Diversity Committee operates within the Board and this committee reports on its activities at every Board meeting, as well as makes suggestions for the enforcement of the diversity approach across all ESDR activities. The need for diversity is also taken into account during the election of Board members and of members of the Executive Committee.
- ESDR Annual Meeting and diversity
During the organization of the ESDR annual meeting, the Program Committee and the Diversity Committee oversee that the selection of speakers and moderators takes into account diversity along with the highest standards for scientific contents. At each annual meeting, Diversity Grants are offered to members of research laboratories operating in less favourable economic environments (LMI countries) to enable their participation to the meeting. Awardees of Diversity Grants also invited to present their work in a dedicated session at the meeting. The annual meeting provides an opportunity for the Awardees to meet with research experienced ESDR members and they are encouraged to explore possibilities for future collaborative research projects. For ESDR support of such a follow up project please see our information on ESDR Global Health Dermatology Research Mentorship Programme (GHMP). The GHMP will provide the researchers longer research support and mentoring in a European laboratory. Finally, the ESDR continues to organize the Eastern European Session, where researchers from these countries present their work.
3. ESDR’s other activities of relevance to the diversity principles
The ESDR takes diversity into account in all its activities in the selection of organizers, speakers and participants: Future Leaders Academy, Leadership Mentoring, Summer Research Workshop, ESDR Kitchen. The participation of Nicolas Simon Collegiality Diploma winners at the Hungarian Dermatological Society (HDS) annual conference is supported by ESDR along with the HDS.The ESDR plans to contact national dermatology and dermatological research societies for the purpose of developing a scientific network as diverse as possible, thereby stimulating as well as assisting researchers from various minority groups to join the ESDR.
Investigative Dermatology
Dermatological research is at the frontier of biomedical research. Examples of diseases that benefit from this research include:
Disease Genetics
Analysis of structural biology of skin has led to identification of target genes for many hereditary genodermatoses including mechanobullous diseases, ichthyoses and diseases that are associated with other medical problems such as keratoderma and deafness, or heart disease.
Skin Cancer
Understanding the role of ultraviolet radiation and molecular genetics in both melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer has led to widespread public education campaigns. New treatments for melanoma including dendritic cell vaccination are currently under development.
Immunological and inflammatory disease
Common skin diseases such as psoriasis, atopic eczema and contact dermatitis have been extensively studied in Europe, particularly roles of cytokines and other inflammatory mediators, and cell mediated immunity.
Infectious disease
A wide range of infections from the common wart virus to the uncommon (such as Lyme disease) provide important subjects for research. New and emerging infections, including cutaneous manifestations of HIV disease are actively studied.
Cutaneous biology
All aspects including epidermal growth and differentiation, cell signalling pathways in inflammation, the immune system, angiogenesis, pigment cell biology and extracellular matrix/mesenchymal cells are widely studied in Europe. These provide not only the platform for understanding skin disease, but also a model for other organ systems in the fields of transplantation immunology, gene therapy, and transdermal drug delivery.