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
January
Building the Future of Science Together: Transparency, Engagement, and Impact
17th January, 14:00 GMT (view in your timezone), online
Join us for an engaging webinar exploring how transparency, collaboration, and evidence-based approaches can shape the future of science. This event, co-hosted by Cochrane and Sense about Science, offers insights into the missions and initiatives of two leading organizations in science advocacy and evidence synthesis. More information and registration here.
Demonstration of new random-effects methods in RevMan
28 January, 20:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
In this two-part Methods Support Unit web clinics, the presenters, Professor Jo McKenzie and Dr. Areti Angeliki Veroniki, will provide participants with knowledge about these new methods and their implementation in RevMan. In this first web clinic, the presenters will outline the new methods. More information and registration here.
February
How well are Cochrane reviews incorporating non-randomised studies of interventions (NRSI)? Lessons learnt from a scoping review
6 February, 10:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
This web clinic will discuss the findings from a recent scoping review which investigated how Cochrane authors have incorporated evidence from NRSI in their reviews, and whether this has changed over time. More information and registration here.
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.
GRADE approach to summarise evidence for policy and practice
19 February & 21 February, 09:00 ACT (view in your timezone), online
This online course is designed for systematic review authors, guideline developers, and other wanting to use the GRADE approach for assessing certainty of evidence and provides practical experience applying these methods to evidence for policy and practice. Two optional sessions (Day 3 & 4) cover the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision framework in more depth for those developing guidelines. More information and registration here.
Introduction to RevMan: a walk-through for new users
26 February, 14:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
In this session, Rebecka Hall, Product Owner of RevMan, will provide a comprehensive overview of starting to use RevMan as an individual or institutional subscriber. This webinar is aimed at entry-level users of RevMan and everyone interested in using it. It will consist of a live hands-on demo of RevMan, including a brief introductory presentation (10 to 15 minutes), followed by demonstration with Q&A. More information and registration here.
March
From Theory to Practice: Getting Started with Scoping Reviews
3 March, 11 CET (view in your timezone), online
This webinar, hosted by Cochrane Norway, is designed to demystify the basics of Scoping Reviews. Perfect for those new to this research methodology, Linda Biesty and Pauline Meskell will share the fundamental steps of this methodology though practice examples and a roadmap to help you start your own review. Registration here.
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.
Workshop: Systematic reviews and meta-analysis of prognosis studies
24-26 March, online (view in your timezone)
From 24-26 March, 2025, a 3-day online workshop targeted at people who wish to learn how to summarise evidence of prognosis studies in a (Cochrane) review will be facilitated. In this three-day workshop we discuss and practice how to define your prognosis review question, how to search the literature, how to critically assess the quality of primary prognosis studies, which statistical methods to use for a meta-analysis of the results of primary prognosis studies, how to use these methods and how to interpret and report the findings. More information can be found here.
Introduction to systematic reviews of prognosis studies
27 March, 09:00 UTC (view in your timezone), online
In this web clinic, Professor Carl Moons and Dr Anneke Damen from the PMG will provide a brief overview of the different types of prognosis reviews, the steps in conducting a prognosis review and an overview of the guidance that is already available. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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 preparing a Systematic Review (e.g., Cochrane Reviews)
27 May, in Odense, Denmark
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.
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.
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
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.
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