Workshops

This practical session explored strategies to enhance the writing skills of epidemiologists, making their research more accessible and engaging. To paraphrase Albert Einstein’s thoughts “Everything should be made as simple as possible, but no simpler” and “The eternal mystery of the world is its comprehensibility … The fact that it is comprehensible is a miracle” i.e. one of the world’s greatest scientists working in a field most of us would consider complex noted that not only should science be communicated in such a way that broad audiences can understand it, but that the world made that possible. Whilst there are complexities in epidemiology, most papers use technical terms when there are correct simpler words that would be more widely understood. Good epidemiologists should work with people from diverse disciplines, involve patients in our research and engage with the public. To do that we need to learn how to write like Einstein.

• Learning techniques to simplify how we write and practicing the art of crafting narratives that resonate with both scientific and general audiences.
• Through interactive exercises and real-world examples, attendees develop practical skills to improve their scientific communication and broaden the impact of their research.

This workshop focused on building skills in behavioural design to create low-cost interventions for HIV service delivery and other health domains. Attendees engaged in practical exercises to develop and apply behavioural design thinking, utilising frameworks such as NUDGE, EAST, and "How might we?". The session enhanced capacity in understanding and applying behavioural insights to tackle public health challenges, generate innovative ideas, and develop actionable strategies that can be implemented in various health contexts. This session offered a valuable opportunity for public health professionals to learn how to design interventions that are both impactful and economical, addressing a key public health priority area.

• Build skills in behavioural design for creating low-cost interventions in HIV service delivery and other health domains
• Build capacity in understanding and applying behavioural insights to public health challenges
• Generate innovative ideas and develop actionable strategies for various health contexts.
• Learn to design interventions that are both effective and economical, addressing key public health priorities

This workshop offered attendees a hands-on experience in simulating a guideline panel decision-making process. Using a real-life World Health Organization example, attendees role-played various panel members, receiving guidance from facilitators on their roles and responsibilities. The session covered key aspects of guideline panel composition, managing conflicts of interest, and evaluating the certainty of evidence using the GRADE Evidence Profile. Participants also engaged with the GRADE Evidence-to-Decision Framework to inform panel discussions and understand the implications of recommendations based on the strength and certainty of the evidence.

• Gain insight into guideline panel composition, roles, and conflict-of-interest management.
• Examine key factors that determine the overall certainty of evidence in a GRADE Evidence Profile.
• Explore the domain-based GRADE Evidence-to-Decision Framework to guide guideline panel discussions.
• Understand the impact of recommendation strength and evidence certainty on decision-making.

This workshop focused on EMPHNET’s initiatives to enhance Field Epidemiology Training Programs (FETPs). It explored EMPHNET’s innovative transition from traditional face-to-face models to blended learning modalities, showcasing their success in helping countries establish tailored FETPs. The session also delved into EMPHNET's eLearning strategies, which offer flexible, accessible programs that enrich the learning experience. Attendees engaged in customising the Intermediate FETP to fit the unique needs and contexts of their countries or regions, exploring the most effective delivery approaches. The session emphasised the importance of developing customised FETPs that align with national public health priorities, highlighting the power and impact of blended learning.

• Provide an overview of establishing a field epidemiology training program.
• Explain the blended training model for FETP.
• Explore eLearning approaches to enrich the learning experience for epidemiologists while building their capacities.

This workshop introduced epidemiologists to the foundational principles of implementation science, a field dedicated to closing the gap between research and practice in public health. Attendees explored key concepts such as the frameworks, strategies, and evaluation methods that drive effective implementation of evidence-based interventions. By examining real-world examples and case studies, participants saw how these principles are applied in various health contexts. Through interactive discussions and practical exercises, attendees gained insights into how implementation science can improve health outcomes by enhancing the uptake and sustainability of public health innovations. This session provided a critical understanding of how to translate research into practice.

• Understand core concepts of implementation science
• Identify frameworks and strategies for effective implementation
• Apply evaluation methods to assess intervention success
• Explore the role of implementation science in bridging research and practice

This workshop offered a practical introduction to sampling and survey data analysis, focusing on the essential links between sampling strategies and the accuracy of population estimates. Attendees learnt how common epidemiological practices, such as clustering and stratification, impact data analysis and interpretation. Through a series of virtual surveys on a simulated population, attendees explored the pros and cons of various sampling strategies and statistical methods. By analysing the data collected in these experiments, attendees gained hands-on experience in optimising study planning and avoiding costly errors in survey design and analysis. 

• Develop an understanding of the links between sampling strategy, sample size, analysis technique, and accuracy of population estimates in epidemiological research
• Understand the statistical and practical implications of using complex sampling schemes including clustering and stratification
• Learn alternative approaches for analysing data gathered from clustered and/or stratified samples
• Gain practical insights on collecting and analysing sample data through virtual surveys on a simulated human population

Data analysis examples were presented using R environment for statistical computing (https://www.R-project.org/). Participants were advised to bring their laptops with a working version of R installed. Details on the packages to be pre-installed were communicated to registered attendees ahead of the session.