We seek nominations for one upcoming vacant position on the Cochrane Methods Executive, to start in September 2026. Please note the deadline for nominations is Friday, 29 May 2026.
What is the Methods Executive?
The Methods Executive provides a leadership forum and general oversight on Cochrane's key methodological roles and methods-related activity. Members take strategic responsibility for supporting Cochrane's Editor-in-Chief, representing Cochrane's Methods Groups, and improving communication between different Cochrane groups and structures with related methods interests. Key responsibilities of the Methods Executive include:
- Act as a voice for the methods community within Cochrane, such as for Methods Groups, liaising with the Cochrane Central Executive Team.
- Seek to ensure Cochrane is informed of important new methods (and improvements to existing methods) that should be considered for use in Cochrane.
- Oversee new methods proposals to Cochrane.
- Provide guidance and advice to the Editor in Chief and Editorial Board on devising and implementing strategies to improve the methodological quality of Cochrane Reviews and developing strategic methodological priorities in Cochrane.
- Provide strategic assistance in the management of methods development and training.
- Make decisions on methods-related activities in Cochrane, including the topic, organisation and delivery of the annual Methods Symposium.
- Oversee the Methods Groups.
- Promote Cochrane methods to the wider methods community and represent Cochrane externally on methodological issues or queries.
The Methods Executive is comprised of six elected Methods Group Convenors, which currently include, Chantelle Garrity (Rapid Reviews), Areti Angeliki Veroniki (Statistics), Matt Page (Bias), Evan Mayo-Wilson (Adverse Events), Candyce Hamel (Rapid Reviews, AI) and Kylie Hunter (Prospective Meta-analysis).
Other roles on the Methods Executive include representation on Cochrane's Editorial Board (currently Candyce Hamel), Cochrane Handbook Editors (currently Matt Page (Bias, Intervention Handbook), Mariska Leeflang (Screening and Diagnostic Tests, DTA Handbook), Carl Moons (Prognosis Handbook, Prognosis) and Emma France/Catherine Houghton (Qualitative Evidence Synthesis, Qualitative and Implementation)), and the Cochrane Evidence Synthesis and Methods Journal (currently Michael Brown).
The Methods Implementation Editor, the Methods Support Unit Head, the Head of Editorial Policy and Research Integrity and the Head of Engagement, Learning and Support serve in ex-officio roles. The Chairs of the Methods Executive are currently Areti Angeliki Veroniki and Matt Page.
The Methods Executive has a 3-year standard tenure for elected Methods Group Convenors, with annual nominations for vacancies each year. Once elected, Methods Group Convenors can remain in position for up to a maximum of two tenures (6 years).
Details of the open position on the Methods Executive
The open position of the Methods Executive will fill a vacancy from Matt Page (Bias) who will rotate off at the end of 2026.
We seek one experienced, well-established Methods Group Convenor for appointment from September 2026. Candidates will have strong connections within the Cochrane community. Along with their specialist expertise, they will be skilled in systematic review methodology; experience on similar committees is an advantage. Methods expertise from elected members of the Methods Executive currently covers Adverse Events, Artificial Intelligence, Statistics, Prospective Meta-analysis, and Rapid Reviews. Therefore, we particularly encourage Convenors from other Methods Groups to step forward.
If elected, we expect members to attend meetings regularly, typically every 2 months by teleconference (face-to-face meetings are subject to annual, in-person Cochrane meetings). We also expect them to contribute to issues that arise by e-mail between meetings.
