Cochrane Methods Executive seeks nominations for Methods Group Convenor representative

Posted 22 July 2019

We seek nominations to a vacant position on the Cochrane Methods Executive, to start in October 2019 at the Santiago Colloquium. Please note the deadline is *Friday 23 August 2019*.

What is the Methods Executive? 

The Methods Executive provides a leadership forum and general oversight on key methodological roles and methods-related activity in Cochrane.  Members takes strategic responsibility supporting the Scientific Committee with its agenda, the Editorial Board on issues with methods implementation, and seeks to improve communication between different Cochrane structures with related methods interests, and the Methods Groups. Key responsibilities of the Methods Executive include:

  • Act as a voice for the methods community within Cochrane, such as for Methods Groups, liaising with Cochrane Central Executive Team.
  • Seek to ensure Cochrane is kept informed of important new methods (and improvements to existing methods) that should be considered for use in Cochrane.
  • Provide a triage filter for new methods proposals to Cochrane and escalate to the Scientific Committeewhere applicable.
  • Provide guidance and advice to the Editor in Chief and Editorial Board on devising and implementing strategies to improve the methodological quality of Cochrane Reviews and developing strategic methodological priorities in Cochrane. 
  • Provide strategic assistance in the management of methods development and training. 
  • Make decisions on methods-related activities in Cochrane, including, but not limited to, the topic, organisation and delivery of the annual Methods Symposium and provision of a formal methods training event (where there is a specific budget allocation).
  • Oversee the Methods Groups. 
  • Promote Cochrane methods to the wider methods community and represent Cochrane externally on methodological issues or queries.

The Methods Executive is comprised of six elected Methods Group Convenors, which currently includes Su Golder (Adverse Effects), Carol Lefebvre (Information Retrieval), Jo McKenzie (Statistics), Carl Moons (Prognosis), Jane Noyes (Qualitative and Implementation, also represents the Scientific Committee) and Holger Schünemann (GRADEing). Other roles on the Methods Executive includes the Editorial Board’s Senior Methods Advisor, Julian Higgins (also presents the Scientific Committee and Handbook Editors), and Cochrane Council representatives, Miranda Langendam and Yemisi Takwoingi. The Methods Implementation Coordinator, Senior Editor (Methods Support and Development) and Head of Membership, Learning and Support services serve in Ex Officio roles. The Chairs of the Methods Executive are currently Carl Moons and Holger Schünemann.

The Methods Executive is moving to a standard tenure for elected Methods Group Convenors of three years, with annual nominations for vacancies each year. Once elected, Methods Group Convenors can remain in position for up-to a maximum of two tenures (six years). In 2019, 2020 and 2021, the Methods Executive will be recruiting for one vacant Methods Group Convenor position in each of these years.  

Details of the open position on the Methods Executive 

At the end of 2019, Carol Lefebvre (Information Retrieval) will be stepping down from the Methods Executive and we are therefore recruiting for one Methods Group Convenor to replace her.

We seek an experienced, well-established Methods Group Convenor for appointment from late October 2019. Candidates will have strong connections within the Cochrane community. Along with their specialist expertise they will be skilled in systematic review methodology. Experience on similar committees is an advantage. Methods expertise from elected members of the Methods Executive currently covers Adverse Effects, GRADE, Prognosis Methods, Qualitative Evidence Synthesis and Statistics. Therefore we particularly encourage Convenors from other Methods Groups to step forward.

If elected, we expect members to attend meetings regularly, typically every six-to-eight weeks, usually by teleconference with two face-to-face meetings per year. We also expect them to contribute to issues that arise by e-mail between meetings.  We currently fund travel and accommodation to attend the Mid-Year Governance meetings. We also fund travel and 3 nights' accommodation to attend Methods Executive-related meetings at Colloquia. We do not generally fund Colloquium registration and Methods Executive members are expected to seek funding for this from their employer, or elsewhere, or discuss using the one complimentary registration per Methods Group.

Please note, the announcement of the position will be at the Santiago Colloquium 2019 and the successful candidate will be invited to the Methods Executive meeting on Tuesday 22 October at 07:30-08:45, if they are attending the Colloquium. We also hope they can join the Methods Group Convenor Meeting and Methods Symposium (both on 21 October 2019). 

Apply here