The Young Diabetologists and Endocrinologists’ Forum (YDEF) is the trainee and young consultants’ wing of the Society for Endocrinology, with an important role in education, advocacy and support.
WHO ARE THE YDEF?
Our committee is made up of specialty trainees and young consultants in diabetes and endocrinology from all over the country. Last year, after 25 years at Diabetes UK, we relocated to the Society for Endocrinology. We still have strong links with Diabetes UK, and are excited about our new partnership with the Society.
Some YDEF committee members at our winter get together.
We serve three functions for our members: education, advocacy and support.
WHAT DOES THE YDEF DO?
We educate
We organise a wide variety of national educational events in line with the diabetes and endocrinology curriculum for trainees within the specialty, as well as budding diabetologists and endocrinologists who have not yet joined the programme.
We advocate
As well as our unique and highly regarded courses, we offer a voice for trainees across a range of committees and organisations that we have a seat on, including the Specialty Advisory Committee (SAC).
We support
We organise webinars, such as those aimed at providing internal medicine trainees (IMTs) with advice on how to apply and be competitive for training positions in diabetes and endocrinology. We also provide financial support for conferences (such as meetings of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes, Society for Endocrinology BES, and Diabetes UK), and for the Specialty Certificate Examination in diabetes and endocrinology.
WHAT EVENTS DO THE YDEF ORGANISE?
We organise one- or two-day in-person events across the country, as well as virtual webinars and educational events. All our courses are free of charge, but we ask for a small booking fee that is reimbursed upon attendance. Given the popularity of our courses, we often sell out in minutes and have a long waiting list, so ensuring attendance is key, to allow everybody the chance to benefit.
Here we've provided list of our courses for 2026 (dates will be confirmed via our newsletter closer to the time). For courses that are longer one day, accommodation is provided. All courses are free to members of the Society for Endocrinology.
HOW CAN YOU JOIN THE YDEF?
It’s easy! Visit our website to become a YDEF member ↗, which is free of charge. You will also be able to see what we have on offer. For regular updates, including course sign-up release dates, be sure to subscribe to the YDEF newsletter!
You can also follow us on social media at: @youngdiabendo @ydefofficial YDEF
AMY COULDEN
Committee Member, on behalf of the YDEF Committee
Academic Clinical Lecturer, University of Birmingham, and ST6 Endocrinology and Diabetes Registrar, Queen Elizabeth Hospital, Birmingham
