Evidence Synthesis Ireland (ESI), which hosts Cochrane Ireland, aims to make evidence syntheses more usable in every sense of the word – better designed, conducted and reported, more useable for decision-makers and more usable within health care policy and clinical practice decision making across the island of Ireland and beyond.
We provide education for researchers, clinicians, the public and policymakers who conduct or use evidence syntheses.
We build capacity in planning, doing and sharing evidence syntheses through Fellowships, workshops and scholarships.
We advance the way we plan, do and share the results of evidence synthesis by finding out how to do these steps better.
may 2026
Overview: Systematic reviews and evidence syntheses are powerful tools that compile and evaluate all relevant research on a particular question, providing a high-quality evidence base for decision-making. They are crucial for
Overview:
Systematic reviews and evidence syntheses are powerful tools that compile and evaluate all relevant research on a particular question, providing a high-quality evidence base for decision-making. They are crucial for informing policy, guiding practice, and identifying future research needs—not just in health but across various sectors.
Join us for our Summer School at the University of Galway from May 26th to 28th, 2026, for a hands-on three-day summer school on “Introduction to Evidence Synthesis.” This course is tailored for beginners and those looking to refresh their skills. While the focus is on health, the methods taught are applicable in multiple fields. Through interactive lectures, discussions, and practical exercises, you’ll learn how to conduct systematic reviews and evidence syntheses that can influence research and policy decisions.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this summer school participants will:
Audience:
Beginners and those with some knowledge seeking to learn or refresh their skills in evidence synthesis, Systematic review authors, guideline developers, health and social care professionals, academics, researchers, postgraduate students, policy and decision-makers, Evidence Synthesis Ireland Fellows and other professionals, anyone interested in evidence synthesis methods.
Pre-requisites:
Places:
100 available for individuals who are resident in Ireland & Northern Ireland
Accommodation:
There is limited accommodation available on the University’s campus in Dunlin Village (walking distance from venue), please click this booking link to secure your place.
Tickets:
General admission (researchers, academia, clinicians etc): €300
Student: €200
Industry: €600
Public and patients: Please email esi@universityofgalway.ie
Schedule:

more
26 (Tuesday) 9:30 am - 28 (Thursday) 4:30 pm
Áras Moyola, University of Galway
june 2026
To register, click here This two half-days (3 hours each) workshop introduces participants to the comprehensive GRADE methodology of assessing the certainty of evidence. Through a
To register, click here
This two half-days (3 hours each) workshop introduces participants to the comprehensive GRADE methodology of assessing the certainty of evidence. Through a combination of lectures and hands-on exercises, participants will learn to assess the certainty of evidence by evaluating key domains, including methodological limitations, inconsistency, indirectness, imprecision, and publication bias. The workshop also covers evidence upgrading criteria and provides a practical demonstration of using the GRADEpro software.
In this course, participants will be enabled to:
The workshop combines interactive lectures with hands-on small–group exercises using Zoom breakout rooms and a demonstration of the GRADEpro GDT software. Evidence assessment domains are taught through a presentation followed by a practical exercise. Participants should go through the selected GRADE guidance papers provided in advance.
Dates: 10th & 12th June 2026
Time: 10:00 – 13:00
Places: 25
Location: Online
Prices: General €100; Student €50
Prerequisites: Attendees should have knowledge in conducting and/or using systematic reviews as well as the basic principles of evidence-based healthcare, and the critical appraisal of research studies, especially RCTs
Skill Level: Introductory
Target Audience: Systematic review authors, guideline developers, health and social care professionals, academics, researchers, postgraduate students, decision makers, Evidence Synthesis Ireland Fellows and other professionals
Facilitators:
Dr KM Saif-Ur-Rahman, Director of GRADE Ireland, Evidence Synthesis Methods Lead @ Evidence Synthesis Ireland
Prof. Declan Devane, Director of Evidence Synthesis Ireland & Cochrane Ireland, Professor of Health Research Methodology, University of Galway

more
10 (Wednesday) 10:00 am - 12 (Friday) 1:00 pm
ONLINE
To register, click here This webinar will demonstrate the potential for artificial intelligence tools to enhance qualitative evidence synthesis, converting labour-intensive processes into efficient, transparent, and
To register, click here
This webinar will demonstrate the potential for artificial intelligence tools to enhance qualitative evidence synthesis, converting labour-intensive processes into efficient, transparent, and reproducible workflows without sacrificing methodological rigour. It will explain how to read the evolving AI landscape and align tool selection to specific qualitative synthesis tasks. Participants will learn to identify appropriate AI applications by matching tool capabilities to synthesis stages — from search and screening through to thematic or framework analysis and confidence assessment. The webinar will emphasise that transparent, critically evaluated AI assistance, supported by clear reporting and reflexive practice, is essential to bridge the gap between technological possibility and trustworthy synthesis. Attendees will leave with practical tools to map AI applications across the synthesis workflow, spot opportunities for responsible AI use, and deliver qualitative syntheses that are efficient and credible.
Speaker:
Andrew Booth is Professor in Evidence Synthesis, Sheffield Centre for Health and Related Research (SCHARR) – University of Sheffield and adjunct Professor – University of Limerick. He is co-convenor of the Cochrane Qualitative and Implementation Methods Group, a GRADE-CERQual core team member and a research associate of Evidence Synthesis Ireland/Cochrane Ireland. Andrew obtained his PhD from the University of Sheffield and has an MSc and Diploma in Librarianship (Distinction) from University of Wales, following a BA (First Class Hons). Andrew is a prolific trainer in qualitative and rapid reviews. As co-director of three evidence synthesis centres for UK National Institute for Health and Care Research he has conducted numerous realist syntheses focusing on searching for theory and for underpinning evidence. He is currently authoring the Realist Synthesis chapter for the Cochrane-Campbell Handbook of Qualitative Evidence Synthesis. In 2020 he collaborated with Evidence Synthesis Ireland to support the first Cochrane Rapid Qualitative Evidence Synthesis. His co-authored text Systematic Approaches for a Successful Literature Review is in its 3rd edition.

more
(Thursday) 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm
The innovative ESI Fellowships give Fellows the opportunity to learn about evidence synthesis, with hands-on experience of how to plan, design, conduct and report an evidence synthesis. Fellows are placed virtually with world-class evidence synthesis centres and review teams in Ireland and internationally, on policy and practice relevant reviews.
We’re committed to improving how we gather, interpret, and share vast amounts of information, a process known as evidence synthesis. Our approach isn’t just about conducting research; it’s about improving the very methods we use to plan, conduct, and share the results of this process.
We work in many different research areas relevant to evidence synthesis and have a particularly strong focus on rapid reviews, knowledge translation and “studies within a review” (SWARs).
“ Reporting on health care topics can rely too much on asking experts or reporting the results of a single study…what would be much more useful to members of the public, especially when it comes to making decisions about their own health, is for people to understand how to situate health claims in the global body of evidence. “