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 Mia Parkinson.
2025
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.
The Danish EBM Network Symposium 2025
9 April, 15:00 CET, online
We will have two online presentations by Anna-Noel Storr and Ella Flemyng from Cochrane, and Kristian Thorlund from McMaster University will come and give us some exciting presentations at the symposium about artificial intelligence in systematic reviews. More information here.
Introduction to Cochrane Library for True Beginners
15 April, 8:00 BST (view in your timezone), online
New to the Cochrane Library? Join our next live introductory training session where we’ll guide you on: Access: Finding your way into the Cochrane Library; Scope: The different types of content available; Searching and browsing: How to find the content you’re interested in - as quickly as possible; and Help: When you’ve tried everything and are still stuck – find out how to get help. Register here.
Meta-analysis and RevMan Web workshop
28-29 April in Lund, Sweden, in-person
In this two-day workshop, Cochrane Sweden and special guests will guide the participants through the steps in planning, performing, and interpreting meta-analyses. The workshop will cover theory and practice, and will be conducted in English. 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.
Introduction to Systematic Reviews in Health
12 & 19 May, 09:00 – 13:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
This live online course is delivered by Southampton Health Technology Assessments Centre (SHTAC). This course is for anyone planning or currently doing a systematic review, or anyone curious about how reviews are done and what makes them systematic. It provides a stage by stage introduction to the methods and processes commonly used to conduct systematic reviews of the effects of health and health care interventions. Find out more and register 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.
Workshop on Developing a Protocol for a Cochrane Systematic Review
13-15 June in Penang, Malaysia, in-person
This workshop is for individuals that are in the process of or are considering authoring a Cochrane systematic review. It is most suited to authors who already have a registered title, but authors who have not yet identified a title will also benefit from the course and will be given assistance to develop a title. This workshop also includes a session on using the Cochrane Library to answer a clinical question. More information and registration here.
Tips for avoiding common errors in protocols for Cochrane Systematic Reviews
15 May, 08:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
This web clinic will highlight common errors in developing and writing protocols for Cochrane Systematic Reviews and will focus on tips to enhance protocol clarity and rigor. More information and registration here.
Risk of Bias 2
16 June, Penang, Malaysia, in-person
This workshop is for Cochrane authors and others embarking on systematic reviews, who might like to know more about this new tool since many systematic reviews have been published using this tool. More information and registration here.
Introduction to Cochrane Methodology
19-23 May in Lund, Sweden, in-person
This 1-week course on Cochrane Methodology is primarily aimed at Ph.D. students and researches from the fields of medicine, health science or epidemiology, but attendance is open to anyone interested in creating or understanding systematic reviews. More information and registration here.
Introduction to Evidence Synthesis: Summer School on Systematic Reviews and Beyond
20-22 May, University of Galway (Ireland), in-person
This three-day, hands-on course is designed for beginners and those looking to refresh their skills in systematic reviews and evidence synthesis. While the primary focus is on health, the methods covered apply across various fields. Participants will gain practical skills in formulating research questions, conducting systematic reviews, assessing risk of bias, and more. Please view the full programme attached. For more information and registration, visit the website.
Introduction to preparing a Systematic Review (e.g., Cochrane Reviews)
27 May, in Odense, Denmark, in-person
The course introduces participants to the core aspects of preparing a Systematic Review, including Cochrane Reviews. The overall aim is that participants upon attending the course will be able to identify the key elements of the process of preparing a systematic review, such as formulation of a review question, searching for- and selecting studies, assessing risk of bias, performing meta-analysis and grading the certainty of the evidence. More information and registration here.
The role of AI tools in developing search stategies and identifying evidence for systematic reviews
29 May, 13:00 UTC+1, online
This webinar will consider whether general purpose AI tools and research-focused AI tools can currently help with search strategy development for systematic reviews. The webinar will also consider how AI tools of various types might assist with search planning and study identification. The webinar will include demonstrations followed by a discussion of those tools and other tools that participants have found useful and would like to share during the meeting. To register, click here.
June
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.
International Summer School in Public Health
10-13 June, Paris, France, in-person
The Centre of Research in Epidemiology and StatisticS (CRESS) and the Paris Public Health Institute (PPH) are organising their first 2025 International Summer School in Public Health in Paris from 02 to 13 June 2025. The aim of this international summer school is to provide a dynamic forum for exchange with high-level researchers, with the goal of exploring various themes in the field of public health. Find out more here.
Nottingham Systematic Review Course
10-13 June, University of Nottingham, UK, in-person
The Nottingham Systematic Review Course is aimed at enabling participants to become proficient in developing and undertaking a Cochrane-style systematic review of interventions and a diagnostic test accuracy review. As this is an introductory course, no previous knowledge of systematic reviewing is required. The course utilises a combination of lectures, small group discussions, workshops, library-based interactive tutorials, with hands on practical work at computer stations using RevMan and reference management software. Review Manager (RevMan) is the software used for preparing and maintaining Cochrane Reviews. Find out more here.
Advancing evidence synthesis for climate and health
19 June, 12:00 UTC+1, online
This talk will discuss how the field of climate and health can be instrumental in advancing evidence synthesis to the next level. Driven by an evidence base that is shaped very differently than in health, there is a requirement to adjust and expand the traditional evidence synthesis toolkit. Mutual learning between the climate and health communities could be an important driver and accelerator for innovation. The second half of the talk will be devoted to outlining the research frontiers of artificial intelligence in making evidence synthesis faster and cheaper without jeopardizing methodological rigor. To register, click here.
July
5th European Summer School in Evidence-Based Public Health
21 - 25 July, Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Germany, in-person
This week-long summer school is targeted at mid-career public health professionals from academia and the public sector, offering a unique opportunity to build and advance your knowledge and skills in evidence-based public health methods and approaches and to connect with experts and like-minded professionals. Learn more and apply here.
MSc in Evidence-Based Future Healthcare: Registration closes
31 July, online
The MSc in Evidence-Based Future Healthcare at the University of Galway is an exciting new fully online interprofessional postgraduate course designed for anyone working in any aspect of health or healthcare systems seeking to transform their current practice, optimise healthcare outcomes and advance their careers in a rapidly evolving field. Our future-facing programme aims to equip healthcare and health systems workers from all backgrounds with the skills and knowledge to tackle current and emerging healthcare challenges by utilising cutting-edge approaches to evidence identification, appraisal, and patient-centred implementation. Registration closes on 31 July for the September 2025 intake.
September
The Tenth International Congress on Peer Review and Scientific Publication
3-5 September 2025 in Chicago, USA, in-person
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
Join the Guidelines International Network’s annual conference, themed “Innovation and Partnerships for Health in All Policies.” More information and registration here.
Course on Cochrane reviews and other systematic reviews of medical interventions
16-19 June, 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.
November
Introduction to Cochrane Methodology
24-28 November, in Lund, Sweden, in-person
This 1-week course on Cochrane Methodology is primarily aimed at Ph.D. students and researches from the fields of medicine, health science or epidemiology, but attendance is open to anyone interested in creating or understanding systematic reviews. More information and registration here.
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