Evidence Synthesis Unit Australia

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About us:

Cochrane Australia and the Australian-based Cochrane groups have been home to leading experts in evidence synthesis, systematic review methods and knowledge translation for over 30 years. In 2024, we were selected as one of the first Cochrane Evidence Synthesis Units.

We are looking forward to establishing this new collaboration and embarking on providing reliable evidence syntheses and other services.

Cochrane Evidence Synthesis Unit (CESU) Australia represents a partnership between:

  • Cochrane Australia at the School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine at Monash University (including the Australian Living Evidence Collaboration (ALEC), Melbourne GRADE Centre, and Methods in Evidence Synthesis Unit)
  • Our extensive network of Cochrane review, thematic and methods groups based in Australia
  • Health Evidence Synthesis, Recommendations and Impact (HESRI) at the School of Public Health, University of Adelaide

Our unit draws on the combined strength of researchers with the proven abilityto produce and implement evidence syntheses and lead research in the meta-science of conducting and reporting of evidence synthesis. The team also has the experience and capability to develop new and innovative synthesis methods and technologies.

Experience and expertise:

Our evidence synthesis unit is at the forefront of developing methods and guidance in areas as diverse as protocol development, searching, risk of bias, non-meta-analytic synthesis methods, statistical methods, living evidence synthesis, implementation and knowledge translation, and co-production. Our partnership model enables us to pool our skills and resources and respond to national, regional and global stakeholders. 

Our expertise is reflected in the substantial portfolio of commissioned evidence syntheses (systematic reviews, overviews, evidence maps, clinical practice guidelines) and knowledge translation outputs (decision aids, consumer resources, podcasts, videos, infographics and media). We also have expertise in providing training on systematic reviews, guidelines and GRADE to individuals and organisations.

Cochrane Australia is a trusted producer of evidence syntheses and advisor on synthesis methods. Through our long-standing membership of Australia's Health Evidence and Methods Panel, we have conducted evidence syntheses commissioned by state and federal government departments and agencies. Globally we have conducted reviews and provided methodological input to WHO and served on several WHO technical panels.

Our partners:

Our Cochrane review group and thematic group partners bring years of experience in supporting and producing reviews and other evidence syntheses. They enhance our capacity by enabling access to clinical and content expertise across several key health priorities (public health, health systems, chronic diseases) and, through diverse methods expertise, expanding the types of synthesis we conduct.

Our partners are closely involved as associate editors or authors of the Cochrane Handbook for Systematic Reviews of Interventions and Guidance for the production and publication of Cochrane living systematic reviews; contribute to Cochrane's Methods Support Unit; and are members of key groups such as the PRISMA Executive, GRADE Guidance Group, Cochrane Methods Executive and Cochrane Library Editorial Board.

Team:

ESU Australia Team

Upcoming activities /news:

Keep an eye out here for new and activities related to Cochrane Evidence Synthesis Unit Australia.