According to Prof Carl Heneghan, Director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine:
‘Over the past 15 years, EBMLive has grown from an ambitious idea into one of the world's leading forums for evidence-based healthcare. We've built a global community, supported hundreds of early-career researchers through scholarships and fellowships, and welcomed many of the pioneers who have shaped evidence-based medicine. Our greatest achievement isn't simply the conversations we've hosted; it's the next generation of leaders we've helped to inspire.’
Described as the Glastonbury of evidence-based medicine, EBMLive events over the years have provided the opportunity to build capacity and develop pathways for early career researchers and health care professionals.
This year’s, which took place last week at Rhodes House Oxford, was no exception, fulfilling its remit to stimulate, provoke, entertain and inspire all practitioners of EBM.
EBHC Associate Prof Annette Plüddemann commented:
‘The conference provided a platform for rich debate and discussion, with keynote presentations from Prof Carl Heneghan on elevating evidence-based healthcare post pandemic, Dr Sara Gandini on mental health and learning loss associated with school-based COVID-19 mitigation measures, Dr Jay Bhattacharya on preparing for tomorrow's threats by enhancing our ability to help patients today, and Prof John Ioannidis on the harms of exaggerated information and non-evidence-based measures.
It was also wonderful to connect with some of our current and past students from the EBHC programme who attended and to hear about their research. Seminars, workshops and social events provided further opportunities to interact and build collaborations and networks’.
Recent DPhil in EBHC alumna Dr Tansy Wade writes:
‘Had the privilege to present my research at EBMLive 2026, entitled ‘Translating evidence into practice: Antibiotic prophylaxis for Caesarean sections in Antigua and Barbuda’. It was refreshing to be in a space with like-minded individuals and experts in evidence-based healthcare!’
Layal Bou Harfouch, DPhil in EBHC student concurs:
‘What a way to close out year one of my DPhil programme! This week started with two days of skills showcase for the Evidence-Based Healthcare programme and ended at my first EBMLive conference, where I had the chance to present part of my DPhil research on mapping U.S. MOUD policy and how it relates to access to treatment.
It was really fun presenting to an evidence-based medicine audience, getting thoughtful feedback on my work, watching my colleagues present, and learning from some of the people who shaped the field.’
Primary Health Care DPhil alumna and Founding Evidence Informed Fellow Dr Georgia Richards summed up saying:
‘It’s been almost a decade since I got involved in these EBM events and every time, they exceed the past, somehow getting better, and better. EBMLive provides a unique opportunity to safely think critically about the most pressing issues, not just within health and social care, but the questions and decisions that impact our daily lives.
One core value at the heart of EBMLive is its unwavering support to train and inspire the next generation, the future leaders of EBM. But at EBMLive, it’s not just words. Through our partnership with the McCall MacBain Foundation (MMF), we have supported over 50 early-career researchers from every continent on the globe, apart from Antarctica, with funded opportunities to engage and learn. This is something I’ve had the honour of co-developing and growing across the years, from Doug Altman Awardees (2019), David Sackett Scholars (2022), and now the Evidence-Informed Fellows (2023-2026), creating a pipeline of trainees to tackle the wicked problems using an evidence-based approach. This has truly transformed the energy of EBMLive over the years and will leave a lasting legacy for generations to come.
This year I spent my birthday at EBMLive surrounded by many colleagues who have become part of important career and professional milestones, and part of my support system since moving abroad almost a decade ago. This EBM family spans the globe, with so many colleagues joining from all over the world. It provides a safe and welcoming space to dream of an evidence-based future, with bold ideas, and endless possibilities.’
Taken together, the conferences have become one of the longest-running international meetings devoted specifically to advancing evidence-based medicine, with a continuous programme spanning 2011–2019, resuming in 2022, and continuing with EBMLive 2026. Mission accomplished and long may they continue.
