WHO/Cochrane/Cornell University Summer Institute

2023, Cornell University, Ithaca campus

Overview

This unique institute is typically held on the Cornell University campus; it brings together experts from the World Health Organization (WHO), Cochrane, and Cornell University to train participants in the development of systematic reviews of nutrition interventions in populations. 

In 2023, the Institute will take place in hybrid format combining on-line instruction (work at your own pace, in teams) with in-person sessions at Cornell University Campus. The Institute is about two weeks in length, but the two weeks are not consecutive. The first week of the Institute, which is virtual/online only, runs from July 1 through July 7. The second week of the Institute, which is in-person at Cornell, runs from July 15 through July 20. In the first week, which is online, participants would need to reserve about 5 hours of time for the program. In the second week, which is in-person, participants will devote full time to the Institute activities Further details showing the calendar of sessions will be available on our website (please see this site: https://www.human.cornell.edu/dns/who-cochrane-cornell-summer-institute)

Systematic reviews following the Cochrane methodology are used to ensure that WHO recommendations are based on sound evidence. Participants will learn to apply the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) tool to assess the overall quality of evidence.

Who should attend?

The institute is intended for nutrition scientists and practitioners with interest in the application of scientific evidence in policy making. Candidates must have a university degree in health or social sciences with interest in nutrition interventions for public health and be willing to be co-authors on a Cochrane review.

Applications from women and from nationals of low- and middle-income countries are particularly encouraged.

Program benefits

In this program, you will:

• update and develop your technical skills and knowledge in systematic reviews of nutrition and nutrition-sensitive interventions;
• build understanding of the process for global policy making, nutrition, and evidence assessment and its challenges;
• complete hands-on training in the development of Cochrane systematic reviews on a topic of immediate global health relevance in nutrition and public health; 
• develop confidence with the review methods and foster development of professional networks with fellow participants and faculty.

If you are interested in attending the program, please apply using this portal, and submit the following materials:

• Curriculum Vitae
• Letter of interest to describe the following:
  • Your area of interest
  • Whether you will work on an existing systematic review (describe the review topic, names, affiliations and expertise of co-authors including the senior author on the review), or whether you wish to propose a topic (if you intend to propose a topic, please describe how you will identify collaborators)
  • Sponsorship/mentor approval
  • Commitment to complete a review and a description of the skills you bring to the workshop and your goals in attending
  • Financial support that will be provided to you and by whom
    
  • Names of two colleagues providing a letter of reference for you. It is your reasonability to be sure these letters are uploaded to this portal. 
  • Have you previously applied to the Summer Institute? If so, when and what was the decision?
    
• Two letters of reference that specifically address your research and technical skills, and your readiness for the Institute.
  • Reference letters may be submitted by your letter writers, OR uploaded by the applicant on the writers' behalf, through our online system. (Note: if you include your letters of reference within your application packet, as opposed to uploading them separately, you may receive an auto-generated message reminding you to submit reference letters. Please feel free to contact us at summerinstitute@cornell.edu to confirm that your application packet has been received in its entirety. Note that, we check each weekday and we will send a confirmation receipt of your materials and inform you when your application is complete.)