Don't know what a special session is? Want to talk to a Group about a particular project? Not sure where the keynotes are being held?
Cochrane Buddies will be available during breaks and lunch from the Cochrane Community stand in the Cromdale Hall. You will be able to spot them as Buddies will be wearing a purple sash.
Buddies are people who have attended multiple Cochrane Colloquia and can help consumers, newcomers and other attendees with any queries regarding the event and Cochrane generally.
Lots of our Buddies can speak multiple languages, so do let us know if English isn't your first language.
Find out more about some of our Cochrane Buddies
Marilyn Walsh
Marilyn Walsh is a Canadian patient advocate who has been actively volunteering as a consumer reviewer with Cochrane since 2007. She has attended multiple Canadian Cochrane Symposia and Colloquia.
Lindsey Elstub and Eugenie Johnson
Lindsey is Managing Editor for Cochrane Incontinence, She manages the Group’s activities and the editorial processes for Cochrane Review preparation from inception through to publication, including providing editorial and practical support for authors. She first joined Cochrane in 2005 as Managing Editor for Cochrane Bone, Joint and Muscle Trauma and have attended many Colloquia and other Cochrane events since then.
Eugenie is the Editorial Assistant for Cochrane Incontinence, she assists the Managing Editor in the day to day running of the Group's activities, including helping to provide support to authors. She also assist in disseminating our Group's work to help it reach a wider audience.
Jennifer Evans
I am a review author and co-ordinating editor for Cochrane Eyes and Vision. I did my first Cochrane Review in 1998 and have been to many Colloquia over the years. I can answer questions about Cochrane and how best to navigate your first Cochrane conference.
Chris Watts
I'm the Learning Manager in Cochrane’s Membership, Learning and Support Services. I'm involved in co-ordinating and developing learning projects for a range of Cochrane audiences, including consumers. I have attended two previous Colloquia: 2016 in Vienna and 2017 in Seoul.
Mala Mann
I am an Information Specialist/Systematic Reviewer at Cardiff University. I have considerable experience in undertaking wide ranges of systematic reviews including four Cochrane Reviews. In addition, I teach systematic review methodology on a number of internal and external programmes including Cardiff Researcher Programme, Cardiff University Doctoral Academy and MSc/Diploma in Clinical Research programme and SURE Systematic Review Course.
My first Colloquium was Dublin in 2006 which was overwhelming. The next one I attended was in Singapore 2009, which was so inspiring and I have been to everyone since! I can provide attendees with advice regards to the process involved in registering and conducting Cochrane Reviews. Also about training available for Cochrane authors.
Dario Sambunjak
I'm the Learning Content Officer in the Cochrane Membership, Learning and Support Services. I'm involved in developing learning products and programmes for various Cochrane audiences. Previously I worked as a co-director of the Cochrane Croatia. My first Colloquium was in 2010 in Keystone, Colorado, and I've also attended the Colloquia in 2011, 2015, and 2017.
Jordi Pardo
I'm the Co-Managing Editor for Cochrane Musculoskeletal. I have been with Cochrane since 1997, first with the Iberoamerican Centre in Barcelona (Spain) and from 2009 from Ottawa (Canada). I also work one day a week as the Senior Community Support Officer for the Central Executive Team, probably a side effect of my interest to solve the most complicated questions!
I am a journalist by training and I am curious about almost anything. Colloquia are an excellent opportunity to connect with interesting people with mutual interest, and I can happily direct you to the people in the organization with similar interest than yours.
My first Colloquium was in 1999, and although I missed a few after that, I wish I could have been to all of them! I can help you navigate the different activities available so you can find those that better align with your interests.
Sarah Watson
I’ve worked for Cochrane as Head of Finance and Core Services & Company Secretary for 3 years. My team are responsible for Finance, HR, Business services and Business support, in additional I manage the publishing relationship with Wiley. My first colloquium was Seoul in 2016 and I look forward to meeting newcomers and consumers in Edinburgh.
Holly Millward
I'm the Events and Brand Support Officer for Cochrane. I help Cochrane Group's host the Colloquia and Governance Meetings. I also provide marketing, communications and brand support to the community. I previously worked for Cochrane UK as their Communications & Engagement Officer and helped to launch Students 4 Best Evidence.
My first Colloquium was Quebec in 2013 and have been to every one since!
I can support attendees with general information about every aspect of the Colloquium and venue. I can also point you in the right direct for which group/person to speak to, if you are wanting to make contact with some, need advice or want to find out more about a particular project.
Juan Franco
I'm the director of a Cochrane Associate Centre in Argentina and a contact editor for Cochrane Urology. I provide guidance to those who wish to undertake a Cochrane Review sponsored by our centre and I coordinate, alongside the other directors, local activities that could help to contribute to Cochrane's goals. I'm also a practicing family physician in the outskirts of Buenos Aires.
My first Colloquium was in Seoul 2016 and I've also attended the Global Evidence Summit in 2017.
Chris Champion
I am the Head of Membership, Learning and Support Services for Cochrane. I have been part of Cochrane for more than 9 years working across a range of roles. Before joining the Central Executive Team I worked as a Managing Editor for 5 years, so I have a good understanding of how Cochrane Groups work as well as how the Central Executive works.
This will be my 8th Colloquium, and I am looking forward to meeting newcomers and consumers to share some of the experience I have gained at these events and to learn from others about what we should be doing to best support people who are new to our organization.
Lyuba Lytvyn
I'm a PhD student at McMaster University in Hamilton Canada. My research is about patient and public partnership in the development of clinical practice guidelines. I am also part of the MAGIC research and innovation organization, and lead the patient and carer partnership initiative for the BMJ Rapid Recommendations guidelines.
My first Colloquium was Vienna 2015, and I was at the Global Evidence Summit in 2017.
I can support attendees with general questions about the Colloquium, and help you decide what talks/people/Groups might be most aligned with your interests. I'm also around just to say hi if you're feeling overwhelmed (which I still get at these too!).
