The Anne Anderson Award recognizes a female member of Cochrane who has made a significant contribution to the enhancement and visibility of women's participation within Cochrane. The winner then designates the cash award to assist a woman from a low-resource setting with her Cochrane activities. Here the winner of the 2020 cash award reports back a year later.

The Anne Anderson Award is one of several prizes awarded annually (in 'normal times'). The goal of the Anne Anderson Award is to recognize and stimulate individuals contributing to the enhancement of women’s visibility and participation in Cochrane’s leadership. In the footsteps of Anne Anderson, many outstanding women continue to contribute and inspire other women to improve health knowledge for the good of their communities.

The Award recipient receives a plaque from Cochrane honouring her contributions at the annual Colloquium. She then designates the cash award of 3000 USD to assist a woman from a low-resource setting with her Cochrane activities, who should eventually provide a brief written report on how the funds have been used.

2020 Anne Anderson award winner, Sophie Hill nominated Nyanyiwe Mbeye to receive the award money.

Dr Nyanyiwe Mbeye, is a Lecturer in Epidemiology and Public Health, College of Medicine, University of Malawi.

We spoke to Nyanyiwe to find out her plans for the prize money.

How did receiving the prize money help you personally?
The prize money will help with the following:

• Build my own capacity in Evidence Based Health Care to be able to Lead and spearhead the use of evidence in decision making.
• Build a team in Evidence Based Health Care by engaging an intern who will closely work with me in delivering EBHC activities. This is part of my long term goal to build capacity in this area in order to strengthen the teaching of courses such as systematic reviews, Evidence Based Health care and others. Ultimately, this will institutionalise EBHC/Evidence Informed Decision Making in health related disciplines
• Introduce and run systematic review or evidence based health care journal clubs

What are your future plans?
My future plan is to grow the Evidence Informed Decision making Centre (EvIDenCe) that I established, to becoming one of the units in the country that will be able to respond to the demands/needs of evidence by decision makers

What is your message to people thinking about submitting a nomination for the Anne Anderson Award?
It is high time we hold hands to influence use of evidence in decision making. Let us build global capacity in the use of evidence by empowering those motivated to take this forward.

• To find out more about the Anne Anderson award, please visit https://community.cochrane.org/news/anne-anderson-prize-recognizing-enhancement-and-visibility-women-cochrane

Cochrane has launched a new online learning module on systematic reviews of prognosis studies. The module is intended for researchers and clinicians with an interest in reading a systematic review of prognosis studies or as an introductory course for researchers planning to perform one. It includes activities and examples to accompany learning on what a prognosis study is and the different stages of conducting a systematic review of prognosis studies. The module also provides ways to check your knowledge, as well as other useful resources about this topic.

The module was developed by the Cochrane Prognosis Methods Group in collaboration with the Learning Team in Cochrane’s People Services Department.  Anneke Damen, Lotty Hooft and Carl Moons (Cochrane Netherlands, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, The Netherlands) wrote the module based on developments from the Prognosis Methods Group (part funded by the Cochrane Strategic Methods Fund). The Prognosis Methods Group also offer numerous additional prognosis review courses, including generic and advanced courses.

After completing the module, participants will be able to describe the difference between different types of primary prognosis studies, formulate a PICOTS (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome, Timing and Setting) and systematic review question, know how to find available search filters and tools for data-extraction and risk of bias, understand the interpretation of the relevant effect measures in primary prognosis studies, and be aware of the templates developed for reporting systematic reviews of prognosis studies. This list of research that informs the learning is also available via the Prognosis Methods Group.

Anneke Damen, Assistant Professor and module author, said: “We are delighted to see the guidance and tools we’ve developed embedded within this learning module. Its interactive features will help researchers and authors understand what a systematic review of prognosis studies is, and why they are so important.”

Karla Soares-Weiser, Editor-in-Chief of the Cochrane Library, and Acting-CEO of Cochrane said: “Cochrane understands the importance of systematic reviews of prognosis studies in promoting evidence-informed health decision-making and we are pleased to present this new module. So far, Cochrane has published 23 Prognosis Reviews and Protocols and we hope this module will help authors and the broader community to learn more about systematic reviews of prognosis studies”.

The systematic reviews of prognosis studies module is freely available on the Cochrane Training website; you will need to create a Cochrane account to access it if you do not already have one.

• Explore the systematic reviews of prognosis studies learning module today.
• Visit the Cochrane Prognosis Methods Group website.

The Anne Anderson Award recognizes a female member of Cochrane who has made a significant contribution to the enhancement and visibility of women's participation within Cochrane.

Who was Anne Anderson?
Anne Anderson was a contributor to the stream of thinking and effort that gave birth to evidence-based health care. A clinically qualified reproductive physiologist, Anne had an active interest in women’s health, co-editing the first edition of Women’s Problems in General Practice with Ann McPherson and contributed to Effectiveness and Satisfaction in Antenatal Care (1982), edited by Murray Enkin and Iain Chalmers. She was discussing with Marc Keirse and Iain Chalmers the possibility of co-editing a companion volume on elective birth, however her premature death from breast cancer in 1983 ended her involvement. Anne Anderson was 46 years old when she died. Iain Chalmers, Murray Enkin and Marc Keirse went on to publish Effective Care in Pregnancy and Childbirth (ECPC) in 1989, dedicating the book in part to Anne. ECPC, through its systematic approach to assessing the research literature, is widely acknowledged to have led to development of Cochrane (more about Anne Anderson: Wikipedia).

What’s the goal of the Anne Anderson Award?
The goal of the Anne Anderson Award is to recognize and stimulate individuals contributing to the enhancement of women’s visibility and participation in Cochrane’s leadership. In the footsteps of Anne Anderson, many outstanding women continue to contribute and inspire other women to improve health knowledge for the good of their communities.

Who are some of the past recipients?

2022: Tiffany Duque
2021: Jackie Ho
2020: Sophie Hill
2019: Tianjing Li
2018: Kay Dickersin
2017: Sally Green
2016: Nicky Cullum
2015: Lisa Bero
2014: Elizabeth Waters
2013: Cindy Farquhar
2011: Caroline Crowther

What are the judges looking for?
Recipients will be selected based on emotional and cognitive intelligence, serving as an inspiration to others, evidence of cumulative accomplishment, originality and independence of thought, personal qualities, team building, leadership and mentorship. The nominee’s contribution to or enhancement of women’s visibility within Cochrane, participation in Cochrane and other leadership, and other accomplishments within the context of Cochrane will also be considered in the selection process.

What are the prize recipients awarded?
The Award recipient will be announced at the Colloquium and receives a plaque from Cochrane honouring her contributions. She then designates the cash award of 3000 USD to assist a woman from a low-resource setting with her Cochrane activities, who should eventually provide a brief written report on how the funds have been used.

How does the nomination process work?
Anyone in Cochrane can nominate a past or current active women member of Cochrane. It’s a simple survey giving examples of their contribution and how they fit the criteria.


This award is just one of Anne Anderson’s legacies and the award recipient each year leaves her legacy by assisting a woman from a low-resource setting to assist with her Cochrane activities. Your nomination can have a ripple effect! We welcome you to nominate a woman in Cochrane who inspires you, especially the quiet achievers who might otherwise not be recognized!

• Join the virtual walk to raise money for Anne Anderson Award

Find out more about what impact receiving the award money has:

• Read about 2018 award money recipient, Janice Bowie
• Read about 2019 award money recipient, Thanitsara Rittiphairoj
• Read about 2020 award money recipient, Nyanyiwe Mbeye

Register for the 'A day with... Statistics Methods Group’ which is taking place on 11 May 2021.

This is part of a series of virtual events from Cochrane Training for anyone interested in systematic review methodology and the work of Cochrane Methods Groups. Whether you are new to systematic review methodology or an advanced-level learner, these virtual events will be an opportunity for you to meet and learn from colleagues from different Methods Groups, with a variety of online events happening throughout the day.

This all-day event will highlight the Cochrane Statistics Methods Group and methods and issues around heterogeneity. There will be presentations from early career researchers and a virtual 'get-to-know-you' networking session. You can register for a session on the latest methodological developments, pose a challenging methods question for one of our experts, explore some of the free learning that is available, or take part in Twitter chats using #adaywithCochraneSMG. 

• View the full program and register for free

We seek one representative from the methods community (either a Methods Group Convenor or active Methods Group member) to sit on the Cochrane Council. This is an exciting opportunity for methods community members to engage with and contribute to the internal organisation of Cochrane.

The position starts immediately on appointment (likely July 2021).

Please note the deadline for applications is 30 April 2021. 

What is the Cochrane Council? 

The Cochrane Council was established in November 2016 at the recommendation of the Governing Board. The Council aims to ensure that Cochrane Groups retain an effective voice in Cochrane’s leadership and strategic decision-making. The purpose of the Council is to provide:

• a forum for Cochrane Groups to consider high-level matters affecting Cochrane as a whole;
• a mechanism to raise matters and provide input to the Board on behalf of Cochrane Groups and members; and
• a forum to consider matters at the request of the Board and inform Board deliberations.

For further information please see the Council’s website and Terms of Reference.

The Cochrane Council is comprised of 16 members:

• Centre and Branch Directors’ Executive (2 members)
• Cochrane Consumer Network Executive (2 members)
• Co-ordinating Editors’ Executive (2 members)
• Managing Editors’ Executive (2 members)
• Author’s Forum (2 members)
• Information Specialists Executive (2 members)
• Fields’ Executive (2 members)
• Methods Groups and Network (2 members)

The term of Council membership is three years. Members may be re-appointed through the normal process established by their constituency but may not serve longer than six years in total.

Details of the open position on the Cochrane Council 

The Methods representatives on the Council represent the Cochrane methods community. We are therefore looking for a Cochrane methods community member (either a Methods Group Convenor or active Methods Group member) with a proven track record in making contributions to Cochrane methods and Methods Groups, and who understand their issues. We seek active methods community members, with either expertise or a keen interest in methods covered by one or more of our Methods Groups and motivated to work on cross-cutting topics for the benefit of the Cochrane community as a whole.  

Methods representatives on the Cochrane Council automatically sit on the Methods Executive (see the Methods Executive Terms of Reference) in a deputising role. Methods Executive teleconference attendance is rotated between the two Council methods members, in person meetings at the Cochrane Governance meetings and Cochrane Colloquium are attended by both Methods representatives.

Role commitment: 

• A term of office for three years
• Participation in up to six Council and three/four Methods Executive teleconferences per year 
• Attendance at Cochrane Governance meetings and Cochrane Colloquium
• Support all Council and Methods Executive activities including participating in subgroups and report writing 

We are unable to provide financial remuneration for this position, although we would cover any expenses incurred in the course of Council activity, such as travel and accommodation, based on prior agreement.

Please note: following a successful application, members will be required to complete a conflict of interest disclosure. Cochrane’s Conflict of Interests and Commercial Sponsorship Policy are available here and here.

For more information please contact Sarah Nevitt (Sarah.Nevitt@liverpool.ac.uk), Council Methods representative.

APPLY HERE

Professor Asbjørn Hróbjartsson is the new Head of Cochrane Denmark, formerly called the Nordic Cochrane Centre. He is a Professor of Evidence-Based Medicine and Clinical Research Methodology at the University of Southern Denmark, and Head of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Odense (CEBMO).

Asbjørn comes with extensive experience as a researcher and leader. He has had multiple roles in Cochrane, including as a senior researcher at the Nordic Cochrane Centre from 2001-2015. Currently, he serves on the Cochrane Scientific Committee, is editor of the Cochrane Methodology Review Group, and is a joint leader of the Cochrane Bias Methods Group, which CEBMO hosts.

With a strong international research profile in evidence-based medicine, Asbjørn has focused on the quality of clinical research, especially systematic reviews and clinical trials. He has an interest in ways to assess and minimize bias in clinical studies. He has published extensively on blinding, placebo, reporting bias, conflicts of interest, and guidelines for good scientific reporting.

Asbjørn states, “To lead Cochrane Denmark, in close affiliation with CEBMO, is a great opportunity for strengthening the production and dissemination of health care evidence, and for supporting evidence-based choices made by patients, health care providers and decision makers. Synthesis of well-performed clinical research, e.g. Cochrane Reviews, are essential for assessments of when health care interventions do more good than harm. I look forward to an adventurous journey and invite all with an interest in evidence, Cochrane and health to join.”

Mark Wilson, Cochrane’s Chief Executive Officer says, “I warmly welcome Asbjørn’s appointment as the new Head of Cochrane Denmark. His extensive involvement in Cochrane’s work combined with his leadership within the Danish evidence synthesis community makes him perfectly equipped for the post. This marks an exciting new chapter for Cochrane Denmark. Asbjørn will lead a dynamic and experienced team of key staff, and I’m sure that Cochrane Denmark’s influence on evidence-informed health decision making in Denmark and around the world will grow in the coming years.”

Ole Skøtt, Dean of The Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Southern Denmark, adds, “It is a great honour for the University that Asbjørn Hróbjartsson has accepted the position as Head of Cochrane Denmark, in addition to his position as a successful Head of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine Odense. It is of paramount importance for patients, health care providers and the public to be sure that our treatments and recommendations are supported by the best available evidence, and to highlight where such information is missing. The combination of Cochrane Denmark and CEBMO, and the extensive international collaboration within the Cochrane network, is a significant step forward in achieving these goals.”

Cochrane Denmark represents Cochrane nationally, conducts methodological research, and supports researchers conducting Cochrane reviews.

• If you would like to know more about Cochrane Denmark, then please contact Dina Muscat Meng, Communications Consultant: dmm@cochrane.dk /+45 27201398
• Find more information about the new organizational setup here:
  • Press release from SDU (in Danish)
  • Press release from the Danish Ministry of Health (in Danish)
• Visit our website www.cochrane.dk or follow us on Twitter @CochraneDK for the latest news and information from our Centre.

The Cochrane community is embracing their geek chic and love for evidence-based healthcare with Cochrane merch!

Visit the Cochrane Store for branded t-shirts, tote bags, and mugs.

It's a great way to show off your pride in Cochrane work while also giving back - all money from sales will be reinvested in helping people get involved in Cochrane.

Cochrane-branded items are not completely new to the community

Branded items have been printed out to celebrate Colloquia and special events in the past. We have heard from our Community members how they have taken pride in wearing a bit of the global organization they are a part of. Some of the items that people have contain the previous Cochrane logo and some are worn with age and use - it's time for a refresh! 

Geek-Chic designs while staying true to Cochrane

The store has a collection of designs created by science illustrator Science Scribbles. Dr. Lauren Callender says, "For this project, I particularly wanted to draw attention to the fact that Cochrane is very highly regarded by the scientific community. I hope I was able to visually depict this and that people will really love the designs!" 

#MyCochrane

We would love to see you wearing and using your new Cochrane items! Tag us on social media and use the #MyCochrane hashtag to show your Cochrane pride! To be sure we see them and give you credit email your picture to mumoquit@cochrane.org and let us know your Instagram or Twitter handle so we can give you credit.

Personalized designs available for Cochrane Groups

Celebrating a Cochrane Group milestone, a thank you for the completion of an important project, or a local symposium? We can help with the personalization of a product to be added to the store. If you are interested, please contact Lydia Parsonson (lparsonson@cochrane.org} with the following information:

• Group Name
• Group Colour
• Event (if applicable)
• Image/text requested
• Item required (mug, t-shirt, tote bag)

• Visit the Cochrane store
• Read the interview with the designer

The Cochrane Iberoamérica Network extends their condolences to family and friends for the recent death of Patricia Caballero. Patricia was the Director of the Associated Cochrane Center of Peru hosted at the National Institute of Health of Peru. Patricia was a specialist in Infectious and Tropical Disease Medicine, held a master's degree in Public Health and Health Services Management, and was a senior professor at the Faculty of Medicine of the Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos. She was also a member of the research groups on tuberculosis and sexually transmitted infections and was the coordinator of the Unit for Analysis and Generation of Evidence in Public Health. Patricia will be remembered dearly as a caring colleague and for her passion for evidence-based healthcare.

In the image, Patricia (fourth from the left) appears with other colleagues attending the 7th Meeting of the Ibero-American Cochrane Network "Working to reduce the gaps in healthcare knowledge", in Havana in 2018.

The Cochrane’s Consumer Network Executive advocates for consumers and provides leadership for the Cochrane Consumer Network. This is unique in research: an international community of patients, caregivers, family members and others who are united by an interest in health evidence and who often volunteer to help produce and spread Cochrane evidence. The Network is now (January 2021) over 1800 strong and growing and represented across 79 countries. The Executive also represents the consumer voice in other areas of Cochrane, including identifying two members of Cochrane’s Council.

Following calls to the community in 2020 two new people have been appointed to the Executive for, initially for one year, with the possibility of up to three years.

Maureen Smith, Chair of the Consumer Network Executive welcomed the two new members: Ndi Euphrasia Ebai-atuh and Jack Nunn. “The Consumer Executive is thrilled to welcome these two talented, committed consumers. There is no doubt that Euphrasia and Jack will add to our breadth of expertise, skills, and experience. Our Executive shares their passion for consumer involvement in evidence-based medicine and looks forward to working with them.”

Meet our new members

Ndi Euphrasia Ebai-atuh
Euphrasia is a founding member and Vice President of Cameroon Consumer Service Organisation (CamCoSO). She leads the Programs and Decision Support Teams. They work with state institutions, local authorities and a wide range of both national and international basic service providers in engaging Cameroon consumers in the production and delivery decision making process, of the products they consume.

The Program and Decision Support teams are responsible for CamCoSO’s development and implementation of initiatives that promote and protect the rights of the Cameroon consumer.

She holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and has being lecturing with the Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC), Bamenda since 2014. Her background in research and passion for consumer rights advocacy led her to join Cochrane in 2017, where she has worked to provide consumer inputs on reviews.

Her love for “what works” has earned her membership, several posts of responsibility and a household name with Global Evidence Actors such as African Evidence Network (AEN) and Cochrane.
 
Euphrasia will also be joining the Cochrane Council as a consumer member, alongside Rachel Plachcinski.

Jack Nunn
Jack has a long-standing interest in creating and evaluating equitable and ethical ways for people to get involved in all aspects of research and science. Jack is a PhD researcher in the department of Public Health at La Trobe University, where he is currently exploring genomic research and how people can be involved in shaping the future of this research.

Jack is the founder and Director of the not-for-profit education organisation ‘Science for All’, working to involve people in doing research by building partnerships between the public and researchers. Jack is currently leading the co-creation of ‘Standardised Data on Initiatives (STARDIT) with multiple international partners, to create a standard way to share data about involvement in research and other initiatives.

He has recently worked on projects with Cochrane Australia, the World Health Organisation, the Australian Department of Health, the Poche Centre for Indigenous Health and the UK's National Institute of Health Research. Jack worked for a large UK health charity (Macmillan Cancer Support) for 5 years, working to involve the public in research and improving services.

Jack is a member of the Australian Federal Departments of Health's Medical Services Advisory Committee Evaluation Sub-committee, the Cochrane Advocacy Advisory Group and is the Strategy Liaison for the Wikimedia Foundation WikiJournals.

Jack is on the editorial board for ‘Research Involvement and Engagement’, the ‘WikiJournal of Science’ and the ‘WikiJournal of Humanities’.

Key issues ahead for the CE:

Maureen Smith, chair of the Cochrane Consumer Network Executive says, “The Cochrane Consumer Executive has a vision for a global community of healthcare consumers (parents, carers, and the public) united by their search for high quality, unbiased information about health conditions and treatment, and who can contribute meaningfully throughout the process of production and dissemination of research. It’s vision has only been strengthened by the incredible challenges of the pandemic. Never before has consumer involvement in all aspects of evidence-based medicine been more critical.”

CE objectives for the next three years are:

1. Advocate for consumers as users and producers of Cochrane evidence
2. Advise and give practical support to the whole Cochrane community in engaging and involving consumers in producing usable, accessible, quality evidence to inform health decisions
3. Represent the priorities and concerns of healthcare consumers to Cochrane
4. Engage with a diverse and global range of healthcare consumers, patient-led organisations and partnerships with organisations and in the global health research community
5. Support consumers in their governance role within Cochrane

For more information about the Cochrane Consumer Network, and to join,  go to www.consumers.cochrane.org, follow them on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/188375461224285,  on Twitter @cochraneconsumr or email consumers@cochrane.org.

Robust and innovative methods are the lynchpin of Cochrane and our reputation for high-quality systematic reviews. Our future sustainability relies on our ability to attract and work closely with methodologists and researchers, ensuring methods are used accurately and implemented wisely.

Cochrane has 52 Cochrane Review Groups (CRGs) that produce our Cochrane Reviews. Reviews will use different methods depending on the specific research question that the review is aiming to address. Cochrane links up with the community that’s developing guidance and best practice for these different methods through its Methods Groups, of which there are 17, each dedicated to a certain method of review type.

Over recent years, Cochrane Reviews have become more complex as they incorporate new methods and other innovations. We therefore need to make sure that how Methods Groups and CRGs work together is sustainable in the long term.  

Understanding how to improve the links between Methods Groups and CRGs

In the second half of 2019, we interviewed the leads of all 17 Methods Groups to understand their experiences managing their Groups. To address the issues and suggestions that came out of this we developed some initial proposals. In April 2020, we held teleconferences with them to gain feedback on these proposals. In early 2020, we also ran a survey open to all CRGs to understand their methodological priorities.

The overarching feedback was the need to improve methodological capacity within Cochrane and build a wider, more fluid and inclusive methods community that spans Methods Groups, CRGs and all other Cochrane groups.

To start addressing this, we set out to create a new process for methodologists and researchers to sign up to a Cochrane methods community that: increases diversity and inclusivity; streamlines the process and unifies onboarding of new members across Methods Groups; enables members to maintain their own records, contributions and interests; and records members’ expertise and accreditations for specific Cochrane tasks.

As part of this, we are:

1. Creating a single place to sign-up to the Cochrane Methods Network and specific Methods Groups
2. Developing Cochrane's Cochrane Engage to better meet the needs of the methods community, CRGs and Methods Groups

Creating a single place to sign-up to the Cochrane Methods Network and specific Methods Groups

We are delighted that this is now live – see join.cochrane.org/what-you-can-do/methods. We welcome all who are interested in Cochrane methods or evidence synthesis methods to the Methods Network. Each person is able to choose which Methods Group(s) they are interested in and how they want to get involved. Those who sign-up are sent a welcome pack with details about the Methods Network, the benefits of joining, as well as how to get involved and stay up-to-date.

Developing Cochrane Engage to better meet the needs of the methods community, CRGs and Methods Groups

Within the Cochrane Methods welcome pack it highlights how to create a Cochrane Engage profile if you are interested in becoming a methods peer reviewer, advisor, or even author. It also shows how to get involved in other methods-related tasks across Cochrane.

In terms of developments to the Cochrane Engage platform itself, we are investigating what’s possible with current Cochrane platforms and what we should prioritise. Possible developments include updating the topics and skills list to represent the different methods-related tasks, as well as how to highlight level of experience and expertise in different areas.

We are developing guidance for CRGs and Methods Groups on how to use Cochrane Engage and Archie database to find those who can contribute to Cochrane Reviews or methods-related projects and tasks.

Our current plans take us to mid-2021 and will create a solid foundation to further develop the links within the methods community. Our aim is to build a broad, diverse and well-connected community of methodologists and researchers that fosters innovation and supports the continued production of high-quality Cochrane Reviews. These are exciting first steps and we are looking forward to seeing how plans develop over 2021 with the launch of Cochrane’s new strategic framework.

• If anyone has any questions or would like more information on what’s included in this new item, please contact support@cochrane.org.
• If you would like to join Cochrane's Methods Network, please complete this webform.

Ella Flemyng
Methods Implementation Manager

I would like to thank the members of the project’s Advisory Group: Tianjing Li (Methods Executive, Methods Group), Isabelle Boutron (Methods Group, Editorial Board), Larysa Rydzewska (Methods Group), Rachael Kelly (Managing Editors Executive, CRG), Lindsey Elstub (Managing Editors Executive, CRG), Rachel Richardson (Network Associate Editor) and Tess Moore (Methods Support Unit). I’d also like to thank the Methods Groups and CRGs who provided feedback that informed this project.