Cochrane's strength lies in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Geographic Groups represent Cochrane in their host countries, advocating for the use of Cochrane evidence in health policy and practice, and supporting Cochrane's members and supporters locally. Here, we spotlight the impactful work of Cochrane Iran, dedicated to increasing the use of best evidence to inform healthcare decision-making across Iran, the Middle East, and neighbouring regions. 

Established in 2017 at the National Insititute for Medical Research Development (NIMAD), Cochrane Iran has swiftly become a pivotal part of Cochrane's global network. By aligning with Cochrane's strategy, Cochrane Iran has significantly expanded its membership, growing from 965 members in 2019 to over 2,100 by mid-2024. 

Cochrane Iran has been a leader in providing hands-on learning through 50 in-person and virtual training sessions and contributed in the nine Continuing Medication Education events, furthering professional development in evidence-based healthcare. They share Cochrane’s recorded online learning events on Aparat, a local video-sharing platform, where the 671 videos have attracted 42,573 views. They co-authored the 4th and 5th editions of the influential book Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis, now a reference in national University courses. In collaboration with Iranian universities, they hosted five journal club sessions, promoting critical evaluation of research findings.

"Our mission at Cochrane Iran is to bridge the gap between research and practice by making high-quality evidence accessible and understandable. We believe that informed decision-making can transform healthcare outcomes across the Middle East."

— Dr. Farid Najafi, Director of Cochrane Iran

Cochrane Iran spearheaded the translation of numerous evidence-based resources, including:

• Over 6,000 abstracts and plain language summaries of Cochrane reviews.
• 72 podcasts explaining Cochrane evidence in under five minutes.
• 27  blogshots for social media that summarize Cochrane reviews.
• Persian Wikipedia pages related to medicine, such as asthma and influenza. 
• Testing Treatments book and audio clips, which champion critical thinking in healthcare.
• The Health Choices Book for children, fostersing critical thinking from a young age.
• Lifeology flashcard courses on preventing infodemics and empowering informed decision-making.
• World Evidence-Based Heathcare Day documents, promoting evidence-based healthcare globally annually.

Their advocacy and dissemination efforts extended to showcasing Cochrane and Cochrane Iran through 50 events and establishing a robust online presence on multiple platforms including Telegram, X, Instagram, and LinkedIn, engaging a large community and promoting evidence-based healthcare practices.

Cochrane Iran actively collaborated with the 10th Iranian National Epidemiology Congress in 2023, featuring a keynote speech by Cochrane CEO Catherine Spencer and leading a thematic panel on adapting WHO guidelines, evidence-based medicine, and Cochrane Iran's achievements. They also this year organised a citizen science challenge on Cochrane Crowd. Participants classified 78,692 records, identifying around 4,000 randomized controlled trials that will aid systematic reviewers worldwide in their research.

Cochrane Iran’s partnership with NIMAD has led to the launch of the Cochrane Evidence Synthesis in the Iranian Primary Health Care System project. This project has included the translation and local adaptation of the Cochrane Evidence Essentials training course, accessible on Iran's Ministry of Health's website, to promote evidence-based decision-making in primary healthcare settings and empower healthcare professionals with essential skills in evidence synthesis.

Their website, Barpaye, provides scientifically evaluated health claims, answering 49 user queries to date. They also sponsor the fact-checking website Factname Salamat, offering evidence-based answers to health-related questions and claims. 

"Through our collaborative efforts and the translation of essential healthcare resources, we are not only empowering healthcare professionals but also engaging the public in critical thinking about their health. This comprehensive approach is key to advancing evidence-based healthcare in Iran and beyond."

— Dr. Bita Mesgarpour, Co-Director of Cochrane Iran

Cochrane Iran remains dedicated to Cochrane’s vision of enhancing evidence-based healthcare quality and fostering collaboration within the research community. Through their continued efforts, they aim to significantly improve health outcomes and support informed decision-making in healthcare practices.

Cochrane Iran invites individuals and organisations to collaborate and support their mission of advancing evidence-based healthcare in the Middle East. Reach out to CochraneIran@gmail.com and explore the numerous opportunities to contribute to their impactful work. 

• Visit the Cochrane Iran website
• Search and view Cochrane evidence in Persian (Farsi)
• Follow Cochrane Iran on social media
  
  • Aparat
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn
  • Telegram
  • X
• Find a Cochrane Geographical Group in your country

Title: Managing Editor
Specifications: 12 Months Fixed Term Contract (x 3 posts)
Salary: £42,000 per annum
Location: UK, Germany or Denmark – Remote/Flexible
Directorate: Evidence Production & Method
Closing date: 26 July, 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.

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 26 July 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

Cochrane's strength lies in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Geographic Groups represent Cochrane in their host countries, advocating for the use of Cochrane evidence in health policy and practice, and supporting Cochrane's members and supporters locally. Here, we spotlight the impactful work of Cochrane Hong Kong, dedicated to increasing the use of best evidence to inform healthcare decision-making across China and neighbouring regions.

Cochrane Hong Kong, officially established in 2019, is situated at The Nethersole School of Nursing, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. As part of the Cochrane China Network, Cochrane Hong Kong is one of eight affiliate groups across China. Today with over 800 members and supporters, they aim to expand the reach and impact of Cochrane evidence on healthcare practice and build capacity for high-quality evidence production.

Since 2022, Cochrane Hong Kong has led Cochrane Nursing, promoting nursing participation in evidence-based healthcare and actively disseminating Cochrane evidence to diverse nursing audiences. This ensures that nurses are aware of relevant Cochrane reviews that can inform their practice. They run the @CochraneNursing X account to share new evidence, supporting members in their engagement with Cochrane and enhancing the dissemination of evidence in nursing both in the broader Asian region and globally.

The group's translation efforts significantly impact healthcare practices and policies in Hong Kong and across Asia, ensuring that medical professionals and the general population have access to high-quality, evidence-based information. In collaboration with the Cochrane China Network and Cochrane Taiwan, they translate plain language summaries of Cochrane reviews into both simplified and traditional Chinese. Currently, there are 2327 plain language summaries in traditional Chinese and  3842 plain language summaries in simplified Chinese for anyone to search and read, making vital health information more accessible.

In 2022, Cochrane Hong Kong hosted the Knowledge Translation Awards, encouraging global university students to engage in knowledge translation and evidence dissemination. The event concluded with a virtual presentation ceremony to honour the awardees for their innovative contributions to advancing knowledge translation and evidence-based practice. "Cochrane Hong Kong's dedication to translating and disseminating evidence is making a significant impact on healthcare practices in China and beyond," says Professor Wai-tong Chien, Co-Director of Cochrane Hong Kong.

Cochrane Hong Kong offers comprehensive training in systematic reviews and evidence production, empowering health professionals and postgraduate students to conduct high-quality reviews. Their workshops during the 1st Cochrane Hong Kong Symposium and the 7th Pan-Pacific Nursing Conference attracted over 300 delegates. Collaborations with other Cochrane groups and external organisations significantly enhance their impact. In January 2023, they co-organised the 2nd Cochrane China Network Symposium, bringing together global healthcare researchers and experts. They also partnered with Southern Medical University for the 2023 Global Health South Forum and The First Pearl River Implementation Science Symposium (PRISIS).

Cochrane Hong Kong collaborates with the Hospital Authority Hong Kong, which governs all public hospitals in the region. They offer workshops and training on systematic reviews and evidence production. Currently, they are conducting a clinical trial to evaluate an evidence-based detection method for ensuring the correct placement of nasogastric tubes across public hospitals. This partnership aims to enhance evidence-based healthcare decisions, improve clinical practices, and establish or revise standards, guidelines, and policies to ensure the highest quality of care for patients.

Looking ahead, Cochrane Hong Kong will continue producing, translating, and disseminating Cochrane evidence. They will collaborate with healthcare institutions and Cochrane organisations to provide more workshops on evidence-based practice. "Cochrane Hong Kong's future projects will continue to build on our strong foundation, advancing evidence-informed decision-making and improving healthcare outcomes across Asia," notes Professor Janita Chau, Co-Director of Cochrane Hong Kong and Co-Chair of Cochrane Nursing. "We are particularly excited about our upcoming training workshops and fellowship programmes, which will help create the next generation of leaders in evidence-based healthcare."

Cochrane Hong Kong invites individuals and organisations in Asia that are eager to impact healthcare to collaborate and offer their support. If you are interested in contributing to their mission, please reach out at cochranehk@cuhk.edu.hk. There are numerous opportunities to engage and contribute to evidence-based healthcare!

• Visit the Cochrane Hong Kong website
• Visit the Cochrane Nursing Field website
• Search and view Cochrane evidence in simplified Chinese
• Search and view Cochrane evidence in traditional Chinese
• Find a Cochrane Geographic Group in your country

Global leaders in evidence-based healthcare - JBI, Cochrane, Campbell Collaboration, AHRU at the University of Oxford, and Institute of Development Studies (IDS) - have joined forces to launch the World Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC) Day 2024 campaign: "Health and Beyond: From Evidence to Action."

The World EBHC Day 2024 campaign seeks to galvanise the global evidence community in addressing the interconnected crises facing humanity. These simultaneous and interconnected crises, or ‘polycrisis’, threaten the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the well-being of people worldwide.

In the face of escalating social, economic, and ecological challenges, the 2024 campaign underscores the need for greater intersectoral action and collaboration to build resilient evidence support systems.

“In a time of ongoing crises, World EBHC Day 2024 presents an important opportunity to bring together the global evidence community to find solutions collaboratively. Cochrane is pleased to be a partner and aims to ensure that momentum from the campaign continues, as there is much to be done to build a healthier world for future generations,” said Catherine Spencer, Cochrane Chief Executive Officer. 

The World EBHC Day 2024 campaign calls on organisations and individuals to share their experiences, innovations, and lessons learned in using evidence-based approaches to drive meaningful change. By facilitating dialogue and knowledge-sharing across sectors, World EBHC Day 2024 serves as a global platform to share and access collective knowledge and wisdom for health and beyond, moving from evidence to action, while highlighting that interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation is pivotal to transformative change.

 Cochrane’s Editor-in-Chief, Dr Karla Soares-Weiser, also shared her enthusiasm for the campaign: “World Evidence-Based Healthcare Day 2024 demonstrates how it is essential to co-create solutions for the complex global challenges of our time. This aligns with the work we have been doing at Cochrane to develop our new Scientific Strategy, which will be published later this year.” 

JBI, Cochrane, The Campbell Collaboration, AHRU at University of Oxford and IDS call on the global evidence community to share their experiences, challenges, innovations, lessons learned, and promising failures in using evidence-based approaches to take action for health and beyond. 

• For more information on the World Evidence-Based Healthcare Day 2024 campaign and how to participate please visit https://worldebhcday.org 
• If you are interested in writing a blog or recording a vlog for World EBHC Day 2024, please get in touch with msalman@cochrane.org

About World EBHC Day: World Evidence-Based Healthcare (EBHC) Day is held on 20 October each year. It is a global initiative that was founded by JBI that raises awareness of the need for better evidence to inform healthcare policy, practice and decision making in order to improve health outcomes globally. It is an opportunity to participate in debate about global trends and challenges, but also to celebrate the impact of individuals and organisations worldwide, recognising the work of dedicated researchers, policymakers and health professionals in improving health outcomes.  For more information, please visit www.worldebhcday.org

We are pleased to share that Cochrane has recently signed a formal collaboration agreement with the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). 

PAHO is the specialized international health agency for the Americas. It works with countries throughout the region to improve and protect people's health and serves as the Regional Office for the Americas of the World Health Organization (WHO). 

The collaboration agreement aims to enhance collaboration and networking between Cochrane and PAHO, facilitating joint initiatives. Specifically, the agreement intends to support the production and use of evidence on shared priority topics and to enhance methodological capacity in the region. This will align with and contribute to Cochrane’s forthcoming Scientific Strategy. 

Earlier this year, Cochrane’s Editor in Chief, Dr Karla Soares-Weiser, met with the Director of PAHO, Dr Jarbas Barbosa, and Assistant Director Dr Rhonda Sealey-Thomas at the WHO Executive Board meeting. During the meeting, they discussed how collaborative efforts under this new agreement could advance mutual strategic objectives. 

Cochrane has a long history of working with PAHO to support health decision-making in the Americas, primarily through the provision of training, workshops and expert advice by Cochrane groups and contributors. The new collaboration agreement aims to build on and enhance this longstanding relationship to address current and future health challenges facing the region. 

Cochrane’s CEO, Catherine Spencer, expressed her enthusiasm for this next phase of the partnership: “This new agreement is a major step forward in strengthening Cochrane’s relationship with PAHO. We are eager to leverage Cochrane’s expertise to support PAHO in addressing the key health challenges affecting the Americas, enhancing the relevance and impact of our work.”

• Learn more about Cochrane's partnerships
• For more information on the work that Cochrane does with PAHO and WHO, please get in touch

The World Health Organization Regional Office for Europe (WHO/Europe) is working on a publication to review the opportunities digital health solutions present in relation to climate change. To speed up the process, the Organization has teamed up with Cochrane Crowd for a task to classify related studies. Open to all, this citizen science initiative invites volunteers to review and identify key studies, aiding WHO/Europe to research the impact of digital solutions on climate-related health issues.

“Conducting horizon-scanning to identify promising digital health solutions that can help shape public health is among key priorities for us at WHO/Europe. In addition to benefiting healthcare in a digital era, this initiative promotes preparedness amid the climate crisis,” said Dr. David Novillo Ortiz, Regional Adviser for Data and Digital Health at WHO/Europe.

New task: digital health technology and climate change
Cochrane Crowd has launched a call to participate in a special task requested by WHO/Europe. This task aims to identify key digital health technologies used to manage or mitigate climate-change-related health problems and to reduce the health sector’s carbon footprint. With over 18,000 search results to assess, we need your help!

Digital health technologies leverage information and communication technology to enhance human health, healthcare services, and wellness. Examples include mobile apps, virtual medical appointments, fitness trackers, and virtual reality training for medical procedures. A specialized training module will provide more examples.

A global community of volunteers
Cochrane Crowd is a global community of volunteers dedicated to classifying research necessary for informed decision-making in healthcare. Volunteers review descriptions of research studies to identify and classify healthcare research studies. These efforts help Cochrane reviewers and other healthcare researchers worldwide find high-quality evidence about treatments and healthcare interventions.

Anna Noel-Storr, manager of the Cochrane Crowd platform, says: “Cochrane has been in official relations with WHO since 2011. This task is particularly exciting for us on the Cochrane Crowd team as it’s the first crowd task we’ve done in partnership with the WHO. I hope it’s the first of many, as I know our brilliant Crowd community will relish the opportunity to directly contribute to global health research and make a meaningful impact on climate change."

Contributing to Cochrane Crowd is free and doesn't require any prior experience in healthcare research. By joining, volunteers can build skills in evidence assessment, stay updated on the latest research, and contribute to the global healthcare community. Online training is provided, and all contributions are welcome, from a few minutes a day to more focused periods.

Participation in Cochrane Crowd offers numerous benefits, including the opportunity to earn named acknowledgement in the WHO review and a chance to gain Cochrane membership. Volunteers can also enhance their skills through training and review past decisions to improve accuracy.

"The WHO-Cochrane Crowd collaboration is a great opportunity to contribute to climate action. By identifying the most effective digital health solutions, we can advance research and empower people to protect their health,” said Dr. Israel Junior Borges do Nascimento, WHO consultant and lead author.

The task will be live throughout July 2024. To take part, head to Cochrane Crowd and log in or sign up. Once logged in, click on the ‘Tasks’ panel. You should then see the task “Digital health technology and climate change”.

• Visit the Cochrane Crowd 

A new Cochrane Library Editorial calls for accelerated global implementation of antenatal magnesium sulphate to benefit preterm babies. 

Giving women at risk of premature birth a simple magnesium sulphate infusion (or ‘drip’) can prevent their babies from developing cerebral palsy, a recent Cochrane review has confirmed. The drug itself costs approximately £5 (~$6.50) per dose in England, and requires hospital admission with experienced staff to administer the drug safely to the mother. A new Cochrane Library Editorial calls for this intervention to be implemented more widely and equitably, as it is still not consistently available worldwide.

 The first Cochrane review showing that magnesium sulphate protects premature babies against cerebral palsy was published in 2009, and the recent update includes newer trials which further confirm this finding. It has been recommended by the World Health Organization since 2015 for women at risk of premature birth before 32 weeks of gestation, but implementation remains a challenge in many areas.

Knowing which interventions are effective is only part of the battle, as implementing them consistently across complex health systems is far from trivial. After seeing the results of the original review, neonatologist Karen Luyt was inspired to ensure this life-changing intervention was offered to all eligible mothers across England. This includes all women going into labour before 30 weeks of gestation, and some women between 30 and 33 weeks depending on clinical factors.

“Preterm birth is the leading cause of brain injury and cerebral palsy with lifelong impact on children and families,” says Karen Luyt, Professor in Neonatal Medicine at the University of Bristol. “When the Cochrane meta-analysis was published in 2009, I realised that magnesium sulphate, given to mothers in preterm labour, was a potential game changer. The first effective neuroprotective treatment for preterm babies, preventing cerebral palsy by around 30%. We were early adopters at St Michael’s Hospital (University Hospitals Bristol & Weston NHS Trust).

“I discovered in 2014 that this potentially life altering treatment was not widely used in England, despite high level evidence that it is effective at protecting preterm babies from brain injury and subsequent cerebral palsy. I was awarded Evidence to Practice Challenge support funding from our West of England Health Innovation Network and the PReCePT project was born. Our goal was to give every eligible mother in preterm labour the choice to receive Magnesium Sulphate and for every preterm baby the chance to develop to their full potential.

“The PReCePT collaboration managed to close the evidence-to-practice gap in England, achieve health equity for babies living in the most socio-economically deprived regions and build the evidence base for successful future implementation of perinatal interventions.”

Following correspondence with the Cochrane authors, Karen began implementing the findings in her own hospital through a programme called PReCePT (prevention of cerebral palsy in pre-term labour). Supported by Health Innovation West of England and co-designed by parents and maternity ward staff, the programme provides practical tools and training to ensure eligible mothers are offered magnesium sulphate.

A family's story: Elly Salisbury and Cormac

One of the first women to receive magnesium sulphate through the programme was Elly Salisbury. She was offered the drug when pregnant with her son Cormac, who is now a healthy 11-year old boy.

“It fills me with pride and joy that all mothers in my situation across England are offered magnesium sulphate thanks to the PReCePT programme,” says Elly. “Behind every infusion of magnesium sulphate is a little boy or girl, just like Cormac, and a family just like ours. Every family deserves the chance to be given this drug, wherever they are in the world. I hope that health systems around the world take inspiration from PReCePT’s success to make this a reality.”

Following the successful spread of the programme to all five trusts in the West of England, the Health Innovation Network has now rolled it out to all NHS maternity units in England. Between 2018 and 2023, magnesium sulphate was given to 14,270 eligible women across the country, resulting in an estimated 385 fewer cases of cerebral palsy.

National rollout and impact

The widespread use of this life-changing treatment was made possible by the original Cochrane review led by Professors Lex Doyle and Caroline Crowther.

“The first suggestions that magnesium sulphate might protect babies’ brains from cerebral palsy came from observational studies where it was being used for other purposes,” says Lex Doyle, Honorary Professor of Neonatal Paediatrics at the University of Melbourne. “Rates of cerebral palsy appeared to be lower in premature babies whose mothers had received the drug, but the evidence was inconclusive. Randomised clinical trials followed, and when we published our 2009 review which combined the results of five trials, the evidence showed a clear benefit in reducing rates of cerebral palsy in early childhood.

“It’s heartening to see the increased uptake of this intervention around the world, which is now being given to the majority of eligible mothers in many countries. However, due to the unpredictability of human childbirth, it’s impossible to reliably reach 100%. Some women in preterm labour deliver too quickly, with no opportunity for intervention, while others experience ‘false alarms’ and go on to give birth much later, even at term.”

The future of magnesium sulphate research

Despite clear evidence that magnesium sulphate is both cost-effective and life-changing, not all mothers are receiving it. The Vermont Oxford Network collects data from over 1,400 participating neonatal units worldwide, primarily in the USA. Their data suggests that around two thirds of eligible women receive magnesium sulphate, and this figure is likely to be lower in low-resource settings that are underrepresented in the data.

Karen worked alongside clinicians around the world to develop materials to help people in lower-resource settings to implement magnesium sulphate alongside other interventions to help premature babies. In her new editorial in the Cochrane Library, she urges increased global uptake and implementation research in lower-resource settings.

“The trials combined in our review are all from high-income countries, where hospitals are comparatively well set-up to administer magnesium sulphate infusions and fulfil maternal and fetal monitoring requirements,” says Dr Emily Shepherd of the South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, lead author of the updated Cochrane review. “In low resource settings, this may not always be possible. It would be helpful for future studies to establish the minimum effective dose, and alternative or simpler regimens, particularly intramuscular administration, to aid widespread implementation including across low and middle-income countries.

“We need further research to explore other questions to help optimize implementation. For example, is it better to deliver the drug as soon as women present to hospital in preterm labour, or as close to the birth as possible? Are the benefits the same regardless of how early the babies are born? We are currently undertaking a new research project to explore some of these questions based on existing data, which we hope will help to standardize international recommendations and aid translation. Our hope is that women whose children will likely not benefit are not exposed unnecessarily, and that all women whose children are likely to benefit are offered treatment across the globe.”

• Read the Cochrane Library editorial
• Read the Cochrane review and plain language summary 

Shepherd ES, Goldsmith S, Doyle LW, Middleton P, Marret S, Rouse DJ, Pryde P, Wolf HT, Crowther CA. Magnesium sulphate for women at risk of preterm birth for neuroprotection of the fetus. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2024, Issue 5. Art. No.: CD004661. DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD004661.pub4. 

Specifications: Permanent – Full time
Salary: £63,000 per annum
Location: Remote working (UK office located in Central London)
Closing date:  4 July 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 is to support and collaborate with the Executive Leadership Team and CEO, on people management issues across the Central Executive Team (CET) worker life cycle.  The job holder will develop and lead in the delivery of the global HR strategy aligned with Cochrane’s strategic ambitions.  This will be achieved by setting the strategic direction for the HR function and leading the HR team in providing and effective and efficient HR function.

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 click “how to apply”.
• The deadline to receive your application is 4 July, 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

Cochrane, JBI, Guidelines International Network (GIN), and The Campbell Collaboration are set to host the second Global Evidence Summit (GES) in the historic city of Prague from 10 to 13 September 2024. This summit will bring together professionals from various sectors, including health, education, social justice, environment, and climate change, to discuss and inform policy and practice through evidence. Registration is still open.

With approximately 70 long oral presentations, 456 short oral presentations, 60 workshops, 25 special sessions, and 1000+ posters accepted this year, they will be a cornerstone of the GES programme, facilitating deep exploration of topics and encouraging future collaborations. Emphasising accessible presentations and posters aims to enhance knowledge transfer, particularly for non-native English speakers and individuals facing challenges related to disabilities or neurodivergence.

This year, GES introduces innovative poster and PowerPoint presentation designs based on the work of a diverse team from IPG Health (Emily Messina, James Wells, Noofa Hannan, and Anja Petersen), Zen Faulkes, author of Better Posters, and Mike Morrison, the psychologist behind the viral #BetterPoster movement. These templates incorporate the latest research in instructional design, accessibility, and eye tracking. Tested at the Cochrane Colloquium 2023, the poster templates received positive feedback for improving engagement and communication. Attendees found the posters with large figures and minimal text to be more engaging, memorable, and easier to understand.

Mike Morrison commented on the initiative, saying, "These poster and presentation templates are a significant step towards making scientific communication more insightful for attendees, more impactful for presenters, and more accessible to everyone. We know from several studies — including 'real world' testing at last year's Cochrane colloquium — that these templates make a difference, and I am excited to see their reach expand further at the GES."

Cochrane CEO Catherine Spencer added, "We are thrilled to adopt these templates at the Global Evidence Summit. This initiative underscores Cochrane's commitment to enhancing the dissemination of evidence and fostering impactful discussions. We believe these evidenced-based templates will significantly improve the experience for all participants." Cochrane members are reminded that they can request Cochrane group logos from support@cochrane.org, colour codes for groups are on page 81 of the brand guidelines, and there is picture selection guidance available.

Everyone is encouraged to download and adapt the free poster and presentation templates for their own use, whether presenting at the GES or any other academic event.

• Download the poster template
• Learn more about posters at GES
• Download the presentation template
• Learn more about presentations at GES

A new Cochrane review highlights the significant association between undernutrition and tuberculosis (TB) disease, shedding light on its prognostic value in predicting TB incidence among adults, adolescents, and children.

The review, which analyzed data from 51 cohort studies involving over 27 million participants across diverse settings, reveals that undernutrition probably doubles the risk of TB disease. This association, particularly evident within 10 years from the onset of undernutrition, underscores the urgent need for targeted interventions to address undernutrition as part of broader TB prevention strategies.

Undernutrition, characterized by factors such as low body mass index (BMI) emerges as a key risk factor for TB infection and progression. Malnutrition compromises the immune system, reducing the body's ability to fight off infections, including TB. Individuals who are malnourished have weakened immune responses, making them more susceptible to the TB bacterium and less capable of containing latent infections. In 2022 alone, undernutrition contributed to an estimated 2.2 million TB cases worldwide, as documented in the World Health Organization's Global Tuberculosis Report.

Lead author of the review and lead of the Cochrane evidence synthesis group at Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Juan Franco, says, “By quantifying this risk, we can more accurately estimate the burden of TB disease attributable to undernutrition. This information informs the planning of policies based on the burden of risk factors across different regions of the world.”

The impact of quantifying the relationship between undernutrition and TB provides evidence-based guidance for policymakers to allocate resources effectively, design targeted interventions, and implement comprehensive TB prevention strategies. For doctors and patients, it highlights the importance of nutritional assessments and interventions in TB care and prevention.

The findings from the review suggest that public health policies in countries with high TB burdens must prioritize nutritional support as a core component of TB control programs.

“By addressing undernutrition, these policies can reduce TB incidence, improve treatment outcomes, and contribute to overall health improvements in these populations,” Franco notes.

Despite the clear link between undernutrition and TB disease risk, challenges persist in standardizing diagnostic methods and accounting for confounding factors. The review emphasizes the importance of ongoing research, especially in low- and middle-income countries, to obtain accurate estimates of undernutrition's impact on TB across different populations and settings.

Juan Franco emphasizes the vital role of international organizations, such as the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WHO TB Programme, in implementing the review’s findings. "Evidence-based policies addressing food insecurity and malnutrition are urgently needed," he explains. 

"Undernutrition manifests differently worldwide, influenced by various social determinants of health. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, but addressing societal inequalities is always a good starting point. Treating undernutrition, along with reducing other TB risk factors, is essential not only to lower the TB burden but also to achieve overall well-being." 

By focusing on the dual burden of undernutrition and TB, this Cochrane review underscores the importance of integrating nutritional support into TB control programs to achieve better health outcomes globally.

Specifications: Full Time (Permanent role)
Salary: £90,000 per annum
Location: Remote working (international travel and attendance at in-person meetings in London will be expected)
Application closing date:  Wednesday 26 June 2024. The recruitment agency will be longlisting applications as soon as they receive them, so please apply early to register your interest.

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 External Relations, Chief Executive Office, and Finance and Corporate Services.

The Director of Development and External Relations is a key leadership position within Cochrane, responsible for shaping and implementing the organization's external engagement strategy and attracting donors.

As Director of Development and External Relations for Cochrane, you will be a global ambassador for the charity and a vital part of the Executive Leadership Team. You will build and develop relationships with key stakeholders across the global health landscape, enabling the generation of income, advocate for evidence-informed decision making and foster meaningful partnerships.

Reporting directly to the Chief Executive Officer, you will play a pivotal role in advancing Cochrane's global impact and ensuring the charity’s sustainability. You will be responsible for increasing Cochrane’s income. and reputation and influence among key audiences including funders and policymakers. You will lead a directorate responsible for fundraising, advocacy, partnerships, communications and Cochrane Response, our global health consultancy.

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.

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.

How to apply

• View the full job description.
  
• Apply through our recruitment partner, Prospectus.
• Please submit your application by 26 June 2024.
• Read our Recruitment Privacy Statement.

Cochrane's strength lies in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Geographic Groups represent Cochrane in their host countries, advocating for the use of Cochrane evidence in health policy and practice, and supporting Cochrane's members and supporters locally. Here, we spotlight the impactful work of the Cochrane Africa Network, dedicated to increasing the use of best evidence to inform healthcare decision-making across Africa. 

Cochrane Africa was officially launched at the Global Evidence Summit in Cape Town in 2017, building on partnerships across Africa dating back to the 1990s. The network comprises a Co-ordinating Hub in South Africa based at the Health Systems Research Unit at the South African Medical Research Council; a Francophone Hub directed from Cochrane Cameroon; a Southern African Hub directed from the Centre for Evidence-based Healthcare at Stellenbosch University, South Africa; an East African Hub directed from Cochrane Kenya; and a West African Hub directed from Cochrane Nigeria. The network's main objectives are to deliver timely, high-quality responses to priority questions relevant to global health and sub-Saharan Africa, build capacity to conduct Cochrane Reviews, advocate for evidence-informed decision-making, and increase access to and usability of Cochrane products. Cochrane Africa’s current projects include the Global Evidence Local Adaptation (GELA) project, Cochrane Africa Authorship Guidelines, priority setting to identify review topics for each region, and translation of Cochrane review plain language summaries.

The GELA project, established in 2022 and funded by the European and Developing Countries Clinical Trials Partnership, aims to enhance evidence-informed guideline recommendations for newborn and young child health. By engaging with stakeholders, GELA has identified local priorities and capacity needs, supporting decision-makers in developing and implementing country-specific guidelines.

"Cochrane Africa's work through the GELA project maximises the impact of evidence for poverty-related diseases by increasing the capacity of decision-makers and researchers to use global research for locally relevant guidelines," says Solange Durão, Cochrane Africa Co-Director. This initiative builds on a large-scale programme of child-health guideline development led by the World Health Organization, with adaptation and implementation led by the WHO Afro regional office, country offices, and national ministries. Via the GELA project Cochrane Africa collaborates with several international partners, including the Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Western Norway University of Applied Science, Stellenbosch University, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, Cochrane, and the MAGIC Evidence Ecosystem Foundation. 

The network's work has significantly impacted healthcare practices, policies, and knowledge in sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in TB, HIV, and COVID-19. Through capacity-building initiatives, Cochrane Africa has developed a robust field of evidence-based healthcare on the continent, with many current leaders in the region being graduates of these training programmes. Cochrane Africa also has a long-term collaboration as part of the READ-It project which is based at the Cochrane Infectious Diseases Group. Up to 2023, READ-It has contributed to: 13 global policies or guidelines; 9 national policies or guidelines; 73 high-impact systematic reviews; 10 method topic areas; and specifically published 29 high-impact reviews or methods papers led by authors from low- and middle-income countries.

Looking ahead, the Cochrane Africa Network is excited about hosting the Cochrane Africa Indaba in 2025, an international evidence-based health care conference. It will be led by the East Africa Hub at Cochrane Kenya. "Our future projects will continue to build on our strong foundation, advancing evidence-informed decision-making and improving healthcare outcomes across Africa. We're especially excited for the anticipated 2025 Cochrane Africa Indaba and our training workshops and fellowship programmes. The network also has a long history of developing capacity in Africa to conduct Cochrane and other systematic reviews and develop the field of evidence-based healthcare on the continent. Some of the current leadership in Africa are ‘graduates’ of these training initiatives - and we are looking forward to helping create the next generation of leaders! " notes Tamara Kredo, Cochrane Africa Co-Director.

Cochrane Africa welcomes support and collaboration to amplify their impact. If you are interested in contributing to their mission as authors of Cochrane systematic reviews, identifying priorities for future reviews, participating in research projects, raising awareness about Cochrane in your scientific community, writing summaries or commentaries on Cochrane Africa Reviews, or helping to secure funding for their activities, please fill out a short form.

• Visit the Cochrane Africa website
• Follow Cochrane Africa on X
• Follow the GELA project on Facebook
• Find a Cochrane group in your country
  
  

Cochrane's strength lies in its collaborative, global community. Cochrane Geographic Groups represent Cochrane in their host country, advocate for the use of high-quality evidence syntheses in health policy and practice, and support Cochrane's members and supporters who live there. Here, we spotlight the impactful work of Cochrane Austria, dedicated to advancing evidence-based healthcare practices in their country.

Cochrane Austria officially opened as a Cochrane branch in 2010, at the University for Continuing Education Krems. They hosted the 2015 Cochrane Colloquium in Vienna and were awarded full centre status in  2017. With nearly 500 members and supporters, Cochrane Austria aims to support evidence-based decision-making in Austria and other German-speaking countries and build capacity through training activities.

Cochrane Austria Advisory Board Meeting in Krems 2023

Cochrane Austria undertakes various projects to improve health-related decisions by providing access to the best available evidence for citizens, health care providers, and policy decision-makers. They operate the fact-checking platform, Medizin Transparent.at, which evaluates the accuracy of health-related information in the media. This free service enables German-speaking citizens, healthcare providers, and decision-makers to critically analyze health-related information they encounter in the media, attracting about 2 million visitors annually. Cochrane Austria also runs a rapid response service for healthcare professionals, funded by the State Health Agency of Lower Austria. This service provides rapid, evidence-based answers to clinical questions, ensuring that physicians and nurses in Austria can make well-informed decisions.

"There is a lot of misinformation in the media and even healthcare professionals can struggle to find trustworthy evidence. Cochrane Austria's knowledge translation efforts are making a significant impact on evidence-based decision making for citizens, patients, and healthcare providers in Austria," says Dr. Barbara Nußbaumer-Streit, Cochrane Austria Co-Director.

Alexandru and Larisa from Romania, Petter from Sweden, Piotr from Poland, and Raphaela from Sweden.

Training and upskilling the evidence synthesis skills in Austria is another major focus for Cochrane Austria. They provide regular training in methods of evidence-based medicine, such as critical appraisal of studies, interpreting statistics, doing systematic literature searches, and applying the GRADE approach. In 2024, Cochrane Austria launched a PhD program in "Applied Evidence Synthesis in Health Research" at the University for Continuing Education Krems. The program integrates the Cochrane International Mobility programme, allowing PhD students to benefit from the expertise of other Cochrane Centres.

"Cochrane Austria is equipping the next generation of researchers with a profound understanding of evidence-based medicine and the intricate methodologies involved in evidence synthesis. We are excited to play a pivotal role in shaping this promising future," notes Dr. Gerald Gartlehner, Cochrane Austria Co-Director. 

Cochrane Austria is co-convenor of the Cochrane Rapid Reviews Methods Group and Cochrane Public Health Europe, collaborates with several international partners, including the American College of Physicians, and the World Health Organization, and also support Cochrane Romania as an Affiliate Centre. These collaborations enhance the impact of their work and ensure the dissemination and uptake of Cochrane evidence. In May 2024, Cochrane Austria organized a meeting of all European Cochrane geographic groups in Vienna to foster and strengthen collaborations within Europe. 

Members of 18 Countries joined the European Cochrane Meeting in May 2024 in Vienna

Through projects like the European Health and Digital Executive Agency collaboration, Cochrane Austria supports EU Member States in decision-making on national vaccination programs. Additionally, as a WHO Collaborating Centre, Cochrane Austria members contributed to a systematic review that formed the basis for a global WHO guideline on preventing bloodstream infections from catheter use.

"Our collaboration with the WHO highlights our dedication to enhancing healthcare decision-making not only in Austria but also on a global scale. We are eager to contribute our expertise to these important projects," says Dr. Barara Nußbaumer-Streit.

Andreea Dobrescu, Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit, Gerald Gartlehner at the Guideline Development Meeting at WHO in Geneva in 2023

Cochrane Austria is excited about involving new PhD students in the Cochrane network, hosting Cochrane International Mobility programme participants, and continuing their knowledge translation and capacity-building activities. For those interested in contributing to Cochrane Austria's mission, please contact Barbara Nussbaumer-Streit at barbara.nussbaumer-streit@donau-uni.ac.at. There are numerous opportunities to get involved and make a difference in the field of evidence-based healthcare!

• Visit the Cochrane Austria website
• Follow Cochrane Austria on social media: 
  • LinkedIn
  • Instagram
• Search and view Cochrane evidence in German
• Find a Cochrane Geographic Group in your country