EBMLive and Early Career Researchers

Adding capacity, for future leaders in EBM is core to the mission of EBMLive. In 2016, we started by giving the top five trainee submissions free admission and publishing their articles in the Student BMJ. We also hosted a Future Leader’s Showcase and a networking session to create a formalised network of future leaders in EBM. After much reflection, brainstorming, research and with the publication of the EBM Manifesto for Better Healthcare, we refreshed our initiative to support the next generation. This initiative is strengthening scholarship opportunities and events for future leaders at EBMLive.    

The 2019 conference marks the inaugural launch of the Doug Altman Scholarship, honouring the legacy of Doug, a world-leading authority on the execution and reporting of health research, a tireless advocate of EBM and a great supporter of the EBMLive conference (check out the video below). Eight early-mid career researchers are receiving support to travel across the world to attend and present at EBMLive in July.

Adding capacity globally is a core commitment of EBMLive and the Manifesto for Better Healthcare. This year we launch the first Building Capacity Bursaries to eight individuals from low- and middle-income countries. Sir Iain Chalmers, founder of the Cochrane Collaboration, Honorary Fellow of the CEBM, and a staunch advocate of evidence in healthcare will be a mentor to awardees during EBMLive.

We’ve revamped the programme to appeal to students, junior doctors and early-mid career researchers. Beyond participating in the launch of the Doug Altman Scholarship, networking with other early-mid career researchers, and leaders in EBM, there are now several additional events focused on future leaders:

1. Evidence in the Pub. This ice-breaker event is on the eve of EBMLive 2019 (Sunday, 14 July). Organised in a quintessential Oxford pub, this event allows conference attendees and future leaders to network, and stimulate discussion before the big programme of all things EBM begins.
2. Breakfast session on leadership. Associate Professor Kamal Mantani, who has written extensively on mentorship, is developing a session tailored to early-mid career researchers on leadership and mentorship (Tuesday, 16 July).
3. Breakfast session on career journeys. We are continuing our popular and engaging session where academics present “One paper that changed my career” to reflect on important studies that influenced their career (Wednesday, 17 July).
4. Doug Altman Scholarship presentations. During the first two days (15-16 July), we will hear from the eight Doug Altman Scholarship recipients. They will propose creative, innovative and unique ideas to address an issue of research quality and integrity set out in the EBM manifesto.
5. Rapid fire and poster sessions from the Building Capacity Bursary recipients. Each of the eight Building Capacity Bursary recipients from low- or middle-income countries will similarly propose how to address the themes of research quality and integrity through a poster or rapid fire session during the conference.

Beyond the jam-packed academic sessions and networking opportunities, there are multiple reasons to visit Oxford, including the conference Dinner at a historic Oxford College, Keble.

Students, junior doctors and early-mid career researchers can sign up at the discounted rate here.

For those who can’t be there in person, join us on Twitter (#EBMLive2019), listen out for the podcasts and coverage in the BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine journal.

We hope to see you in Oxford in July!

Authored by

Georgia Richards is a Doctor of Philosophy (DPhil/PhD) student in the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine at the University of Oxford. GR is funded by the National Institute for Health Research School for Primary Care Research Doctoral Studentship, the Naji Foundation and the Rotary Foundation. The views expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily those of the NHS, the NIHR or the Department of Health and Social Care. GR is on the 2019 EBMLive steering committee.

Peter Gill is a staff pediatrician at the Hospital for Sick Children at the University of Toronto, Honorary Fellow at the Centre of Evidence-Based Medicine. He is on the CMAJ Editorial Advisory Board and on the Institute Advisory Board for the CIHR Institute of Human Development, Child and Youth Health (IHDCYH) where he has expenses reimbursed to attend meetings. He is on the editorial board of BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine and the 2019 EBMLive steering committee.

The early-mid career representatives of the 2019 EBMLive Organising Committee.
Follow us on Twitter –  @Richards_G_C and @peterjgill