A round-up of upcoming Cochrane-related events and conferences
Whether you're a healthcare professional, researcher, or simply interested in evidence-based healthcare, this listing of events, both in-person and virtual, offers a diverse array of opportunities to engage with the latest developments in evidence synthesis in health. From webinars and symposiums to workshops and seminars, join us in fostering evidence-based healthcare on a global scale
If you would like to list your event here, please contact mparkinson@cochrane.org
November
Cochrane Methods Week
18-22 November, online
Introduction to diagnostic test acuuracy network meta-analysis
20 November, 14:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
In this webinar, the presenters will discuss why traditional NMA methods for interventions are unsuitable for DTA studies and highlight basic principles and assumptions of DTA-NMA models, such as handling multiple thresholds. Finally, the session will explore challenges and opportunities in conducting a DTA-NMA. The session is of particular interest to review authors who would like to incorporate results from DTA studies comparing multiple diagnostic tests in a review. To register, click here.
Balancing Act: Strategies for Managing Work and Life as a Researcher
21 November, 11:30 PM GMT (view in your timezone here), online
This webinar will talk about the emotional stress in the journey of researchers in medicine and beyond. We will also try to discuss some strategies that listeners may find helpful to improve their psychological well-being. The threshold for seeking help from a mental health professional will also be discussed. To register, click here.
GRADE for interventions
22 November, 09:00 CET (check the event in your timezone), online
We will focus on the GRADE approach for interventions. The course consists of plenary lectures on how to assess the certainty of evidence and how to formulate a recommendation based on an evidence profile. Participants get hands-on experience using small-sized workshops. There will be ample room for questions. This course is organized by the Belgian Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (Cebam) in collaboration with Cochrane Belgium, WOREL and Domus Medica. Learn more and register here
Course on Cochrane reviews and other systematic reviews of medical interventions
25-28 November in Odense, Denmark
This course aims to provide participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to complete a systematic review (SR) of a medical intervention based on Cochrane methodology and to perform a GRADE evaluation of the certainty of the evidence. The course is structured to go systematically through the process of designing a SR, collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data, and assessing the certainty of the results. More information and registration here.
Cochrane Protocol Development Workshop
29 November - 1 December, 9:30 AM - 16:00 PM in Lucknow, India, in-person
This workshop on systematic reviews and meta-analysis is primarily designed for faculty, master's students, PhD students, research scholars, and practitioners to deepen their understanding of Cochrane systematic reviews, keyword use, and searching databases. It will also provide hands-on experience in preparing answerable questions, practical exercises on data extraction and risk of bias assessment, and understanding and applying the certainty of evidence using GRADE. More information and registration here.
December
Getting research evidence to users
5 December, 13:00 GMT (view in your timezone), online
This Cochrane People, Health Systems and Public Health webinar marks one year since the launch of the Thematic Group in Norway. In the webinar, Prof John Lavis (McMaster University, Canada) and Dr Laura Boeira (Instituto Veredas, Brazil) will speak on the work of the Global Commission on Evidence to Address Societal Challenges. We will also provide an update on the activities of the Thematic Group. Please sign up here.
2025
January
(How) can AI-based automation tools assist with systematic searching?
16 January, 10:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
In this session, part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in evidence synthesis series, the presenters will explore if and how AI-based automation tools can assist with systematic searching for the production of evidence syntheses. More information and registration here.
February
Could large language models and/or AI-based automation tools assist the screening process?
13 February, 10:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
In this session, part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in evidence synthesis series, the presenter will give an overview on the background and existing literature on different Machine Learning (ML) approaches versus Large Language Models (LLM) approaches in screening. More information and registration here.
March
Opportunities and challenges for data extraction with a large language model
12 March, 14:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
In this session, part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in evidence synthesis series, the presenter will give an overview of the current research landscape concerning data extraction using LLMs. The presenter will also show findings from a study within reviews (SWAR) that validated the workflow of employing an LLM for semi-automating data extraction within systematic reviews. Additionally, the webinar will address current methodological challenges in evaluating LLMs for data extraction tasks. More information and registration here.
April
(How well) can large language models and AI-based automation tools assist in Risk of Bias Assessment?
9 April, 10:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
Assessing the risk of bias of studies included in a systematic review is time and resource consuming. Thus far, there are a number of approaches to support this process using AI. In this webinar, part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in evidence synthesis series, the presenter will provide insight into current activities in this area. The session is primarily aimed at people who have experience in systematic review production, but is also open to anyone with a general interest in the topic. More information and registration here.
May
How effectively do large language models and AI-based automation tools assist in writing and summarizing evidence syntheses?
7 May, 15:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
In this webinar, part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in evidence synthesis series, the presenter will give an overview of different ways that large language models can be used to help write systematic review protocols and manuscripts. The session is aimed at anyone who is interested in conducting systematic reviews. More information and registration here.
22nd GRADE Guideline Development Workshop with Focus on GRADE for Diagnosis
7-9 May in Arlington, Virginia (USA), in person
This 3-day in-person workshop will cover the application of the GRADE framework for assessing the certainty of evidence and formulating guideline recommendations for diagnosis. Pre-workshop courses and opportunities to receive access to INGUIDE Level 1 and two certification available. Learn more here.
Cochrane Africa Indaba 2025
14-15 May in Kenya, in person
The Cochrane Africa Network is thrilled to announce the Cochrane Africa Indaba 2025, an international conference dedicated to evidence-based healthcare. This event will be hosted by the East Africa Hub at Cochrane Kenya. Registration is now open.
Recommendations and guidance on responsible AI in evidence synthesis
3 June, 13:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
In this webinar, part of the Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods in evidence synthesis series, the presenters will cover: (1) Why do we all need to embrace responsible AI? (2) What are the recommendations for responsible AI? (3) What changes to Cochrane processes and governance will help authors and others use AI responsibly? The session is aimed at evidence synthesists, methodologists, AI developers, or those from organizations, funders or publishers involved in evidence synthesis. More information and registration here.
September
The Tenth International Congress on Peer Review and Scientific Publication
3-5 September 2025 in Chicago, USA.
The Congress, organized by JAMA, The BMJ, and METRICS, will feature 3 days of presentations of new and original research. Our aim is to encourage research into the quality and credibility of peer review and scientific publication and to further the evidence base on which scientists can improve the conduct, reporting, and dissemination of scientific research. Abstracts due 31 January 2025. For more information go to https://peerreviewcongress.org/ or contact: jama-peer@jamanetwork.org
GIN 2025 Conference
16-19 September in Geneva, Switzerland
2026
October
2026 Cochrane Colloquium
October in India, in-person
The Cochrane Colloquium is heading to India in October 2026. This flagship event will focus on bridging gaps, global evidence, local impact, and equitable action. Stay tuned for updates by signing up for the newsletter to get the latest news and announcements.
If you would like to list your event here, please contact mparkinson@cochrane.org