Cochrane News

Cochrane seeks Editorial Assistant - Flexible (remote)

4 days 22 hours ago

Title: Editorial Assistant 
Specifications: Full Time Permanent Contract
Salary: £26,000 per annum
Location: Flexible (remote)
Application Closing Date: 22 October 2024 (midnight GMT)

Cochrane has established a Central Editorial Service to support the efficient and timely publication of high-quality systematic reviews in the Cochrane Library. The reviews that are published through the Central Editorial Service address some of the research questions considered to be the most important to decision makers. 

The Editorial Assistant will perform editorial tasks to support the smooth running of the Editorial Service. Tasks will include, but are not limited to: performing checks on manuscripts on submission and before publication; supporting the peer-review process including inviting peer reviewers and tracking progress; assisting authors and peer reviewers to use Cochrane’s Editorial Management System; running editorial reports for the Editorial Service Executive Editor; arranging and preparing documents for editorial meetings; and supporting the Head of Editorial in projects aimed at improving or developing editorial systems and processes.

Cochrane is a global independent network of health practitioners, researchers, patient advocates and others, responding to the challenge of making the vast amounts of evidence generated through research useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by identifying, appraising and synthesizing individual research findings to produce the best available evidence on what can work, what might harm and where more research is needed.

How to apply

  • For further information on the role and how to apply, please click here.
  • The deadline to receive your application is 22 October 2024 (midnight GMT).
  • The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples.
  • Note that we will assess applications as they are received, and therefore may fill the post before the deadline.
  • Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement

 

 

Thursday, October 10, 2024 Category: Jobs
Mia Parkinson

Cochrane reviews inform WHO Guidelines for preterm infant care 

5 days 22 hours ago

Cochrane’s systematic reviews are playing a key role in informing the World Health Organization’s (WHO) guidelines for managing preterm infants, including respiratory interventions. These reviews, led by Cochrane Sweden and Cochrane Neonatal, are providing the evidence that is directly shaping recommendations on treatments like caffeine therapy to support lung function in preterm babies. 

Preterm birth remains one of the leading causes of infant mortality worldwide. In response, the WHO regularly updates its guidelines to enhance care and improve outcomes for these vulnerable infants. By basing its recommendations on the latest and most reliable data from Cochrane reviews, the WHO ensures that its guidance remains both relevant and evidence based. 

“Our guideline development process is very rigorous and evidence-based,” says Marge Reinap Technical Officer, Evidence-based Policy at the WHO. “All our questions and recommendations rely on evidence synthesis. Without evidence synthesis, the guideline development panel cannot issue a recommendation. The evidence synthesis developed by Cochrane is instrumental and serves as the pillar point of WHO’s normative guidance, facilitating discussions and forming recommendations.”  

The collaboration began when the WHO commissioned Cochrane Sweden and Cochrane Neonatal to conduct systematic reviews on interventions for preterm infants. These reviews, led by Matteo Bruschettini, Director of Cochrane Sweden, explored the evidence around caffeine to improve health outcomes for preterm infants. Studies have shown that caffeine therapy improves lung function and reduces both mortality and long-term disabilities in preterm infants. 

The impact of these Cochrane reviews on WHO guidelines was immediate. The evidence gathered was directly incorporated into the WHO’s updated recommendations on the care of preterm infants, giving healthcare providers around the world clear, evidence-based guidance to improve the survival and health outcomes of these infants. 

Beyond influencing global policy, Cochrane Sweden is now working on adapting the WHO guidelines for the Swedish healthcare system. This framework, known as ‘GRADE ADOLOPMENT’, involves modifying guidelines made by others to fit specific national contexts. GRADE refers to the ‘Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation’ approach, while ‘ADOLOPMENT’ means adopting, adapting, and/or developing new recommendations. 

“Combining the strengths of the Cochrane network, evidence and methodologies with the GRADE ADOLOPMENT framework is very helpful for making recommendations applicable to the Swedish setting,” says Matteo Bruschettini. “It’s an efficient way to make tailored recommendations based on solid foundations, without duplicating efforts.” 

Cochrane Sweden, in collaboration with the WHO and members from the GRADE Working Group are working towards that the adapted guideline are tailored to the Swedish needs and healthcare environment while maintaining the same high standard of evidence-based recommendations. 

While WHO’s guidelines provide a comprehensive framework, countries often need to adjust them to align with their healthcare systems. In Sweden, Cochrane’s work focuses on ensuring that the guidelines not only address local concerns but also meet the practical needs of healthcare providers. This demonstrates how robust global evidence can be translated into actionable, country-specific recommendations. 

“We’re in the process of making guidelines made by others more used in the Swedish setting,” says Martin Ringsten, Project Coordinator at Cochrane Sweden. “It would save a lot of time and resources to use the evidence included in guidelines made by others. Guideline developers can then adopt or adapt recommendations and add contextual evidence where it’s needed.”  

Cochrane Sweden’s involvement in the development and adaptation of these guidelines and included systematic reviews highlights how systematic reviews inform clinical guidelines and public health policy. This collaboration ensures that healthcare recommendations are based on the best available evidence and contextualized to the applicable settings, thereby enhancing the quality and relevance of healthcare practices at both global and national levels. 

The process of using and contextualizing guidelines for specific settings illustrates how Cochrane reviews integrated into these guidelines can directly impact healthcare practice and policy, both globally and nationally. 

 

Wednesday, October 9, 2024
Christine Maema

Cochrane helps launch new WHO guidance on best practices for clinical trials

6 days 21 hours ago

The World Health Organization (WHO) has recently launched new guidance on best practices for clinical trials. The document aims to reinforce global standards in the organization, design, conduct, analysis and reporting of clinical trials. It responds to calls in World Health Assembly resolution 75.8, which emphasized the urgent need to enhance both global and national clinical trial ecosystems to generate high-quality evidence on health interventions. 

Cochrane’s Editor in Chief, Dr Karla Soares-Weiser, contributed to the technical advisory group established to support the resolution and this guidance. 

The WHO guidance offers practical recommendations to assist national health authorities, regulatory authorities, funders and others in facilitating effective clinical trials and research. Key recommendations centre on improving trial design to ensure the relevance of research; an emphasis on scientific and ethical standards; strengthening of capacity and support for sustainable research infrastructure; enhancing clinical trial transparency; and reforms to enable underrepresented groups to participate in clinical trials. 

Eva Madrid, the Lead of Cochrane’s new Iberoamérica Evidence Synthesis Unit, spoke on the panel of the launch event for the new guidance. She highlighted the need for greater engagement between those conducting clinical trials and the evidence synthesis community. Eva stated: 

“Disregarding existing evidence leads to redundant findings and fails to prioritize the gaps that we need to fill, missing the opportunity to resolve clinical uncertainties with clinical trials." 

In his opening  statement, Dr Jeremy Farrar, WHO Chief Scientist, said: “Clinical trials are the bedrock of clinical and public health policymaking and evidence informed policymaking” and urged that they should not only be set up in times of crisis and are used for “answering critically important and clinical and public health questions all of the time.” 

If you would like to find out more about Cochrane’s work on clinical trials, please get in touch with the Advocacy and Partnerships Team: msalman@cochrane.org

Tuesday, October 8, 2024 Category: The difference we make
Muriah Umoquit

Water fluoridation less effective now than in past

1 week 6 days ago

An updated Cochrane review has found that the dental health benefits of adding fluoride to drinking water may be smaller now than before fluoride toothpaste was widely available. 

The team of researchers from the Universities of Manchester, Dundee and Aberdeen reviewed the evidence from 157 studies which compared communities that had fluoride added to their water supplies with communities that had no additional fluoride in their water. They found that the benefit of fluoridation has declined since the 1970s, when fluoride toothpaste became more widely available. 

The contemporary studies were conducted in high-income countries. The impact of community water fluoridation in low- and middle-income countries is less clear, due to the absence of recent research.  

Fluoride, used in many commercially available toothpastes and varnishes, is known to reduce tooth decay. Governments in many countries have added fluoride to the drinking water supply to improve population oral health, although there are polarized views on whether this is the right action to take.  

“When interpreting the evidence, it is important to think about the wider context and how society and health have changed over time,” says co-author Anne-Marie Glenny, Professor of Health Sciences Research at the University of Manchester. “Most of the studies on water fluoridation are over 50 years old, before the availability of fluoride toothpaste. Contemporary studies give us a more relevant picture of what the benefits are now.”  

Results from studies conducted after 1975 suggest that the initiation of water fluoridation schemes may lead to slightly less tooth decay in children’s baby teeth. Analysis of these studies, covering a total of 2,908 children in the UK and Australia, estimates that fluoridation may lead to an average of 0.24 fewer decayed baby teeth per child. However, the estimate of effect comes with uncertainty, meaning it’s possible that the more recent schemes have no benefit. By comparison, an analysis of studies with 5,708 children conducted in 1975 or earlier estimated that fluoridation reduced the number of decayed baby teeth, on average by 2.1 per child.  

The same contemporary studies (conducted after 1975) also looked at the number of children with no decay in their baby teeth. The analysis found that fluoridation may increase the number of children with no tooth decay by 3 percentage points, again with the possibility of no benefit. 

The review was only able to draw conclusions about the impact on children’s teeth, with similar findings across both baby and permanent teeth. There were no studies with adults that met the review’s criteria.  

“The evidence suggests that water fluoridation may slightly reduce tooth decay in children,” says co-author Dr Lucy O’Malley, Senior Lecturer in Health Services Research at the University of Manchester. “Given that the benefit has reduced over time, before introducing a new fluoridation scheme, careful thought needs to be given to costs, acceptability, feasibility and ongoing monitoring.” 

Advocates have suggested that one of the key benefits of water fluoridation is that it reduces oral health inequalities. This updated review sought to examine this question and did not find enough evidence to support this claim, although this doesn’t necessarily mean there is no effect. 

The review’s findings accord with recent observational studies including the LOTUS study, which compared anonymised dental health records with water fluoridation status for 6.4 million adults and adolescents in England between 2010 and 2020. People in fluoridated areas needed slightly fewer invasive dental treatments with no significant impact on inequalities. 

“Contemporary evidence using different research methodologies suggest that the benefits of fluoridating water have declined in recent decades,” says Tanya Walsh, Professor of Healthcare Evaluation at the University of Manchester, co-author on both the Cochrane review and the LOTUS study. “Oral health inequalities are an urgent public health issue that demands action. Water fluoridation is only one option and not necessarily the most appropriate for all populations.” 

“Whilst water fluoridation can lead to small improvements in oral health, it does not address the underlying issues such as high sugar consumption and inadequate oral health behaviours,” says co-author Janet Clarkson, Professor of Clinical Effectiveness, University of Dundee. “It is likely that any oral health preventive programme needs to take a multi-faceted, multi-agency approach.” 

Iheozor-Ejiofor Z, Walsh T, Lewis SR, Riley P, Boyers D, Clarkson JE, Worthington HV, Glenny A-M, O'Malley L. Water fluoridation for the prevention of dental caries. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews TBD, Issue TBD. Art. No.: CD010856. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD010856.pub3.

 

Friday, October 4, 2024
Mia Parkinson

Cochrane welcomes global commitment to evidence synthesis

3 weeks ago

At the United Nations Summit of the Future, two major funding bodies announced £54.2 million of new funding for evidence synthesis: £45 million from Wellcome and £9.2 million from UK Research and Innovation (UKRI).

The announcements represent significant investment in evidence synthesis to help tackle global inequity and address the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. Cochrane was represented at the summit by our Editor in Chief, Dr Karla Soares-Weiser.

“It is invigorating to see major global funders recognizing the importance of evidence synthesis in addressing the challenges facing the world today and in the future,” says Karla. “This significant investment has the potential to catalyze a step change in evidence synthesis, making it more timely, relevant and equitable. Cochrane has a proud history of advancing evidence synthesis, and we stand ready to support this vital global effort. I am especially excited at the potential to reduce global inequities in both producing and accessing high-quality evidence.”

Both funding calls are aimed at building infrastructure to support rapid evidence synthesis projects so that policymakers have access to the latest evidence on a given topic. The Wellcome announcement focuses on ‘living evidence synthesis’, where systematic reviews are continually updated so they always reflect the latest evidence. Wellcome’s announcement notes that ‘the Cochrane Collaboration, which produces gold-standard evidence syntheses in medicine, increasingly backs living evidence models’.

Living evidence

Cochrane is a pioneer of living systematic reviews, having published the world’s first living systematic reviews in 2017. Lessons from the pilot project were published in 2019, in a project co-led by Professor Tari Turner at Cochrane Australia, who serves on Cochrane’s Editorial Board and is Academic Director of the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration.

“It’s fantastic to see this global commitment to living evidence and recognition of Cochrane's leadership in this area,” says Tari. “The new funding is fantastic news for both evidence synthesis professionals and decision-makers who need up-to-date evidence. Living reviews come with many opportunities and challenges which we identified in our pilot programmes, and it’s great to see them getting the attention they deserve.”

 

Tuesday, September 24, 2024
Harry Dayantis

Cochrane seeks Managing Editor Remote/Flexible

3 weeks 6 days ago

Title: Managing Editor
Specifications: 12 months Fixed Term – Contract
Salary: £42,000 per annum
Location: UK, Germany or Denmark – Remote/Flexible
Closing date: 30 September 2024

Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. We have 110,000+ members and supporters around the world. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us. Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into five directorates: Evidence Production and Methods, Publishing and Technology, Development, and Finance and Corporate Services.

Reporting to the Senior Managing Editor and working with members of the Editorial Production and Methods Directorate, the role holder will need to have good awareness of Cochrane guidance for different types of standard and complex systematic reviews (intervention, qualitative, diagnostic test accuracy, prognosis, rapid and overview), plan how they will need to be handled in their team, and work to ensure that deadlines are met. The role holder will also be required to ensure that pilots aimed at innovating the editorial process can be supported as needed.

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organization is built on four core values: Collaboration: Underpins everything we do, locally and globally. Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format. Integrity: Independent and transparent. Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.

You can expect:

  • An opportunity to truly impact health globally
  • A flexible work environment
  • A comprehensive onboarding experiences
  • An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

  • For further information on the role and how to apply, please click here.
  • The deadline to receive your application is 30 September 2024.
  • The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples.
  • Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement
Wednesday, September 18, 2024 Category: Jobs
Lydia Parsonson

Cochrane announces the 2026 Colloquium in India

3 weeks 6 days ago

Cochrane is excited to announce that its flagship event, the Cochrane Colloquium, will be hosted in India in October 2026. Building on the momentum of previous successful gatherings, including the Cochrane London Colloquium and the Global Evidence Summit in Prague, this eagerly awaited event will unite the global healthcare evidence synthesis community to foster collaboration, share insights, and drive lasting impact.

The Cochrane Colloquium is an annual international conference that brings together a diverse range of participants, including researchers, healthcare professionals, policymakers, patients, and carers. It provides a unique platform for those passionate about evidence synthesis and evidence-based healthcare to share knowledge, engage in practical workshops, and explore innovative approaches. The event is also a vibrant space for networking, making it a crucial part of the global effort to improve health outcomes through reliable, high-quality evidence.



The 2026 Colloquium will focus on themes that resonate across healthcare and policy sectors: Bridging Gaps, Global Evidence, Local Impact, and Equitable Action. These themes will drive discussions on the importance of evidence in addressing health disparities and achieving equitable healthcare solutions around the world.

Catherine Spencer, CEO of Cochrane, shared her enthusiasm: “The 2026 Cochrane Colloquium will be pivotal for anyone involved in evidence-based healthcare. These themes are crucial for advancing evidence production, implementation, and policy, and we are excited to develop a programme that addresses these vital areas.”

The Cochrane India Network were at the recent Global Evidence Summit. At their stand they engaged with attendees and provided information about the 2026 Cochrane Colloquium, receiving an enthusiastic response. During the closing plenary, they showcased a video and extended a heartfelt invitation to join them in India for the upcoming Colloquium.

Dr Neeta Mohanty from Cochrane India expressed excitement about hosting the Colloquium."It is an honour to invite you all to India for the 2026 Colloquium. Attending previous Colloquia has been a highlight for our team and we are looking forward to welcoming you and being your warm hosts."

We are excited to put together an engaging programme and to bring the community together. Stay tuned for more updates and sign up for the 2026 Colloquium newsletter to keep in touch and be among the first to receive news and announcements.

Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Muriah Umoquit

Cochrane seeks Junior Legal Counsel - UK, remote

1 month 2 weeks ago

Specifications: Permanent – Part time (30 hours a week)
Salary: £38,000 per annum full time equivalent
Location: UK (Remote with occasional travel to the London office)
Closing date:  9 Sep 2024

Cochrane is an international charity. For 30 years we have responded to the challenge of making vast amounts of research evidence useful for informing decisions about health. We do this by synthesising research findings and our work has been recognised as the international gold standard for high quality, trusted information.

Cochrane's strength is in its collaborative, global community. We have 110,000+ members and supporters around the world. Though we are spread out across the globe, our shared passion for health evidence unites us. Our Central Executive Team supports this work and is divided into five directorates: Evidence Production and Methods, Publishing and Technology, Development, Chief Executive Office and Finance and Corporate Services.

This role will sit within the Legal Team in Cochrane’s Finance & Corporate Services Directorate, which also includes the Finance and HR teams.

The Junior Legal Counsel will be required to support the Legal Counsel in providing legal advice to colleagues across the organisation, to enable Cochrane to manage risk and meet its legal and regulatory obligations. In addition to experience in contract law, the successful candidate will have excellent communication and organisational skills, a self-motivated and proactive approach to their work, and an enthusiasm for developing their knowledge and skills.

Don’t have every single qualification? We know that some people are less likely to apply for a job unless they are a perfect match. At Cochrane, we’re not looking for “perfect matches.” We’re looking to welcome people to our diverse, inclusive, and passionate workplace. So, if you’re excited about this role but don’t have every single qualification, we encourage you to apply anyway. Whether it’s this role or another one, you may be just the right candidate.

Our organization is built on four core values:

Collaboration: Underpins everything we do, locally and globally.
Relevant: The right evidence at the right time in the right format.
Integrity: Independent and transparent.
Quality: Reviewing and improving what we do, maintaining rigour and trust.

You can expect:

  • An opportunity to truly impact health globally.
  • A flexible work environment
  • A comprehensive onboarding experiences.
  • An environment where people feel welcome, heard, and included, regardless of their differences.

Cochrane welcomes applications from a wide range of perspectives, experiences, locations, and backgrounds; diversity, equity and inclusion are key to our values.

How to apply

  • For further information on the role and how to apply
  • The deadline to receive your application is 9 Sep 2024
  • The supporting statement should indicate why you are applying for the post, and how far you meet the requirements, using specific examples.
  • Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement
Thursday, August 29, 2024 Category: Jobs
Lydia Parsonson

Get ready for #GES2024: Top tips from the Cochrane Community

1 month 4 weeks ago

Cochrane, JBI, Guidelines International Network (GIN), and The Campbell Collaboration are hosting the second Global Evidence Summit (GES) in the historic city of Prague from 10 to 13 September 2024. The summit serves as a platform for professionals from diverse sectors, including health, education, social justice, environment, and climate change, to engage in crucial discussions aimed at informing policy and practice through evidence. The countdown has begun, but there is still time to register.

To ensure you make the most out of the GES, we've gathered a selection of insights and suggestions from members of the Cochrane community. These tips will guide you through multiple days of intense engagement, helping you maintain your well-being, enthusiasm, and collaborative spirit throughout the event. Have other suggestions? Let us know by using the hashtag #GES2024 on social media.

1. Understand that the GES isn't just another Colloquium
The GES is a unique gathering that brings together professionals from various fields. It’s an opportunity to learn about the broader environment and how Cochrane's work fits into that. Take the opportunity of the GES to immerse yourself in this diverse event.

"Don't think of the GES as a "Colloquium+". It really is a different beast. Don't go expecting to do Cochrane business as you might at the colloquium and instead take the opportunity to learn more about the broader environment we operate in. Hopefully you'll be less "busy" but the experience will be even more intense."

- Gert van Valkenhoef, Denmark

"The topics at the GES go beyond health care, which makes it different than the Colloquia. The GES is a unique opportunity to share experiences with members and representatives of organisations with a similar mission to Cochrane's. Specifically, I remember a past GES workshop where there were trainers from Cochrane, Campbell, JBI, and GIN, which was really interesting and useful. The GES is a very diverse event!"

- Dario Sambunjak, Croatia

2. Get your elevator pitch ready! 
Prepare a short introduction ahead of time. This can be simple: two or three sentences about Cochrane and what we do, yourself, your role, what you are working on, and maybe what others can help you with if you have a goal in mind. 

"Having a clear and concise elevator pitch allows you to make the most of networking opportunities. It helps you introduce yourself with confidence and make a lasting impression. Your pitch is not just about introducing yourself but also about starting meaningful conversations that could lead to future collaborations."

- Ella Flemyng , UK

3. Download a business card app
Embrace the digital age by adopting a digital business card app. This eco-friendly option enables you to effortlessly exchange contact information, fostering future collaborations.

"When Cochrane attended the 76th World Health Assembly we used blinq.me digital business cards. It was free, easy to set up, and was the main form of business cards that people were using. I hope our Cochrane community embraces digital business cards as an environmentally conscious choice and helps sets themselves up for future collaborations."

- Catherine Spencer, Cochrane CEO, UK

4. Be curious about other organizations 
Beyond catching up with colleagues and friends, this event is an opportunity to engage with newcomers interested in our work and potential future collaborators. Embrace the chance to expand your network and foster meaningful connections that could shape exciting collaborations. Stay open to new encounters and the possibilities they bring!

"Because it's a 'mixed' event there's an opportunity to find out more about the work of the other organisations involved. Although many of us need to devote a lot of our time to supporting, managing or presenting on Cochrane work and initiatives, I'd recommend attending a few plenaries, parallel sessions, and workshops that focus on the work of partner organisations. It’s an informative and rewarding experience!"

- Ruth Foxlee, UK

"My best advice: meet and talk to as many people as you can. The GES in South Africa attracted delegates from all over the world, and it was refreshing to speak with people who weren't involved with Cochrane at all, but still had an interest in evidence synthesis."

- Emma Axon, UK

5. Make the most of your time with smart scheduling
The GES is packed with diverse sessions, presentations, and networking opportunities. To get the most out of your time, carefully review the full schedule ahead of the event.  Prioritize the sessions that align with your goals but also be sure to leave some flexibility in your day for conversations and unplanned connections that often lead to future collaborations and the most memorable experiences.

"It's a big event, and you won't be able to go to everything and talk to everyone you might want to. Be realistic! I recommend that you spend a good bit of time beforehand going through the schedule, but do also try to leave some gaps for unplanned chats with people."

- Anna Noel-Storr, UK 

6. Represent Cochrane
Cochrane's  print-on-demand store offers an exciting range of items, including tote bags, t-shirts, and mugs, which you can choose to purchase for use during the conference.  Please note that these items will not be available for purchase at the GES itself and must be acquired in advance. If you have some Cochrane items in your closet, this is a great time to bring them out and recognize and connect with others from the community that will be there. 

"Cochrane has prioritized sustainability and the environment. Rather than traditional conference swag bags of items you'll never use again, we've taken an eco-conscious route by introducing a print-on-demand store. This not only reduces unnecessary waste but also ensures that people only get things they truly value and intend to use. I love my Cochrane t-shirt and mug and am excited to spot people from Cochrane who are wearing items at the GES."

- Sabrina Khamissa, UK

7. Harness the power of social media
While we're meeting in-person, you can also embrace the digital buzz by actively using the event's hashtag: #GES2024. Through social media, you can connect with other attendees, follow up with presenters, and share your insights with your followers.

"You can get ready for  the GES by announcing to everyone that you will be there. It's also good idea to let people know about your poster or presentation and when they can catch you - start getting connections and interest before the event starts! Once you're at the GES, be sure to use the official #GES2024 hashtag and share your highlights."

- Muriah Umoquit, Canada

8. Make your well-being a priority!
Cochrane recognizes that conferences can be busy and overwhelming at times. We want Cochrane attendees to have the opportunity to prioritize their well-being, while also engaging in some fun and social activities at the GES. Some people take a break by connecting with others and some people need time to themselves - do what's best for you to 

"My advice is to treat the GES like a marathon, and not a sprint. Every day will be busy, filled with sessions to attend, and people to meet, and it’s important to make the most of this opportunity. But it’s also important to pace yourself and give yourself permission to schedule in proper breaks each day. Take time out for yourself and enjoy the Anne Anderson Walk, or even take some time to go back to your hotel room - especially if it means you are then able to return to the main sessions refreshed and recharged!

- Nuala Livingstone, Northern Ireland

9. Follow up
The connections you make at the GES can be invaluable, but they require nurturing. Setting aside time for follow-ups is crucial. It’s not just about exchanging contacts but about building relationships that can lead to meaningful collaborations down the road.

"I always block out half a day in my schedule on the first days back from the conferences to dedicate to follow-up emails. Even if it is to say that it was nice to meet them and to share a resource or webpage that they might be interested in, this is important for solidifying relationships."

- Emma Thompson, US

Have other suggestions and tips? Let us know by using the hashtag #GES2024 on social media.

As you embark on your GES journey, we hope that these valuable tips will equip you with the knowledge and confidence to make the most of this enriching experience. We are looking forward to welcoming you to Prague! 

Find out more:

Thursday, August 22, 2024
Muriah Umoquit
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