Fellowships

Evidence Synthesis Ireland Fellowship Scheme

Our next call is anticipated to open in mid-later Jan 2025. Sign up to our newsletter to be notified.

The overall objective of the Fellowship is to give the Fellow the opportunity to learn about evidence synthesis in general, as well as to develop the practical skills of how to plan, design, conduct and report an evidence synthesis. The scheme places Fellows virtually with experienced evidence synthesis centres and review teams in Ireland and internationally.

Reviews will be advertised each call. Fellows will receive structured theoretical training from ESI and join an existing or new review team being led by experienced reviewers within the respective centre to gain hands-on evidence synthesis experience in a high-quality environment. Fellows will also receive one-to-one mentorship from a designated mentor from the review group. This will afford the Fellow the opportunity of networking with a range of stakeholders in evidence synthesis and will provide direct experience for ESI Fellows in the conduct of evidence synthesis projects that ultimately inform decision making for practice and policy.

Fellowships are open to researchers, policymakers, academics, healthcare professionals or clinician-academic trainees, information specialists, and postgraduate students, who are looking to learn the skills of evidence synthesis to apply to their topic area.

  • The opportunity to develop a variety of evidence synthesis methodology skills
  • Evidence synthesis experience without the need to manage or lead a review team
  • Free attendance at ESI evidence synthesis training workshops
  •  Access to Covidence software for the duration of the Fellowship
  • Co-authorship on high quality review reports/publications
  • Access to a €1000 bursary to support travel and/or dissemination
  • Mentorship in evidence synthesis from high-quality review teams
  • Networking and collaboration opportunities with national and international experts

Where can I read about a Fellows experience? Read about ESI Fellow Ciara O’Meara’s experience to date here

Do I have to be resident of the island of Ireland? Yes, all applicants must be residents of either the Republic of Ireland or Northern Ireland.

If I applied previously, can I use the same references Yes, we will hold references on file for two rounds

How many times a year will the call be announced? Up to three times a year – generally January, June and October, but these can vary depending on the availability of reviews.

Are these Fellowships paid? The Fellowships are unsalaried, which allows those working full-time to apply, and allows us to place Fellows with highly experienced evidence synthesis centres and review teams in Ireland and internationally for first-rate training and mentorship. Fellows receive access to a €1000 travel bursary, free attendance at ESI training events, co-authorship on high quality review reports/publications and other benefits as described in the guidance documents.

Where can I find the estimated start date and duration of the review? This information is found within each review form. Please note these will vary depending on the nature of the review, and flexibility may be required.

TitleTypeHost CentreMentor(s)Review Info
Women’s and healthcare providers views and experiences of care bundle use in maternity care – a qualitative evidence synthesisQualitative Evidence SynthesisUCDValerie Smith Click here
A methodological review of methods and mechanisms for measuring and monitoring outcomes from newborn screeningMethodological ReviewWest Midlands Evidence Synthesis Group (WM-ESG), across Universities of Warwick & BirminghamJacqueline Dinnes, Katie Scandrett Click here
Two scoping reviews on breastfeeding decision-making and communicationScoping ReviewsCentre for Effective ServicesJennifer HanrattyClick here
What is the clinical and cost-effectiveness of local antibiotics in patients undergoing surgery for open fractures?Systematic reviewAberdeen Centre for EvaluationMiriam Brazzelli and Shaun Treweek Click here
What effect does public health messaging about wildfire smoke and wildfire smoke + heat have on human behaviour and human health endpoints?Rapid ReviewNational Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (Canada)Sarah Neil-Sztramko Click here
Ethical and Practical Considerations in Hospital-Based Treatment Trial Design: A Qualitative Evidence Synthesis to Optimise Trial Accessibility Qualitative Evidence SynthesisEvidence Synthesis IrelandLinda Biesty Click here

View previously appointed ESI Fellows