Dr Chris Silagy was the founding Director of the Australasian Cochrane Centre and instrumental in Cochrane's development and success. Chris was energetic, positive and inspiring. Before his death in December 2001, Chris expressed a wish for a Fund to be established, to be held by the Monash Foundation. Chris initiated this fund with his own contribution, and requested donations be made to it instead of flowers or other tributes after his death.
Chris requested that this Fund be used to recognise contributions to Cochrane in ways that are often insufficiently recognised; for example, providing administration, management, Colloquium organisation, communication and motivation - in short, the 'glue' that helps to keep Cochrane together.
The Chris Silagy Prize is given to an individual who has made an extraordinary contribution to Cochrane, made a contribution that exceeds the expectations of their employment, made a contribution to Cochrane that would not be recognised outside the scope of this Prize, and has been identified by their peers as consistently contributing to a spirit of collaboration.
The 2024 Chris Silagy Prize winner is Richard Morley.
We asked Richard about his thoughts on the significance of this prestigious recognition.
I’m honoured to accept the Chris Silagy Prize. I’d like to give my profound thanks to the people who nominated me for this prestigious award, and to the committee for selecting me.
After ten years my journey with Cochrane is at an end. I want to take this opportunity say a huge thanks to those individuals who made my time at Cochrane rewarding, fun, exciting and impactful.
From 2014 when I started it was clear that there was huge potential to build and improve on previous work dating back to the very start of Cochrane. The vision set out in 2015 was challenging and I’m profoundly indebted to those with whom I shared the journey that followed: members and chairs of the Consumer Network Executive, researchers who shared this vision, individuals in leadership positions who championed involvement, my colleagues in Cochrane who turned ideas into ground-breaking resources, and valued partner organisations, individuals and initiatives. I was determined to work in a way that reflected my values and our ambition.
The results of all this collective, collaborative action include a scoping review, the Statement of Principles for Involvement, the ACTIVE project and framework, Involving People learning for involvement, Evidence Essentials learning for the public, The International PPI Network, The Co-production Methods Group, countless webinars, abstracts, posters, grant applications, papers, colloquia and symposia workshops, Patients Included conferences, Zoom meetings, debate, discussion, and much more. These things collectively have added up to a significant change in Cochrane culture. Greater involvement, and increasingly co-production now features in its policies and future plans. There’s no reason now for not making this a reality and embedding this practice; the future relevance of its evidence depends on it.
Now I’ve moved on and handed the baton on to my successor. It’s a privilege to join this world, to make a difference, and I wish her much joy.
Above all, I want to pay tribute to the consumer volunteers who selflessly give their time, skills, and experience of all kinds, unpaid and sometimes barely recognised, for an idea, a vision, of reliable, unbiased health evidence, informed choice, and better health. It’s been an honour to have served you, and I humbly accept this award on your behalf.