The Evidence Synthesis Hub for Health Security Ireland brings together evidence synthesis expertise to strengthen Ireland's health security. After first mention we call it the Evidence Hub. It is hosted at the University of Galway and funded by the Health Research Board.
Where the Hub came from
The Hub grew out of Ireland's research response to COVID-19 and the case that experience made for standing evidence synthesis capacity to support preparedness. Establishing an evidence synthesis hub to support preparedness was a recommendation of the Report of the Emerging Health Threats Function Expert Steering Group in October 2024.
What health security means
Health security means being ready to prevent, detect and respond to threats that could harm health at population level, on an all-hazards, One Health basis. These threats include infectious disease, antimicrobial resistance, chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear incidents, and environmental and climate-related risks. It is not only about emergencies. It is also about preparedness, building the systems, skills and relationships needed before a crisis happens.
What evidence synthesis means
Evidence synthesis is a structured way of bringing research together. Instead of relying on a single study, it looks across the available evidence and explains what is known, what is uncertain, and where the gaps are. It includes systematic reviews, rapid reviews, living evidence summaries, qualitative evidence syntheses, evidence briefs, economic evidence and evidence on implementation.
What the Evidence Hub does not do
- It does not make Government or HSE policy decisions.
- It does not replace statutory public health advice.
- It does not provide individual medical advice.
- It does not carry out surveillance, monitoring or emergency response. It is an evidence synthesis function that serves the health security agenda.
- It does not take evidence requests from the public. Questions are commissioned through the Department of Health.
Our values
We aim to provide evidence syntheses that are:
- Useful: we focus on evidence that decision-makers can use.
- Timely: we work at the pace the decision requires, while being clear about what can and cannot be answered.
- Transparent: we explain our methods, sources, assumptions and limitations.
- Collaborative: we work through a national and international network.
- Inclusive: we consider public, patient, community, equity and implementation perspectives.
Core team
Professor Declan DevaneScientific Lead and Principal Investigator
Dr Lieve VanleeuwHub Operations and Commissioning Manager
Dr Paula ByrneSenior Research Fellow and Evidence Synthesis Methodologist
Johanna PopeResearch Associate
Dr Dominika BhatiaResearch Fellow and Evidence Synthesis MethodologistAssociated members
Colleagues based in Evidence Synthesis Ireland who contribute expertise to the Hub's work.
Dr KM Saif-Ur-RahmanSenior Research Fellow
Dr Barbara WhelanSenior Research Fellow and Evidence-to-Policy Lead, Evidence Synthesis IrelandShort biographies will be added shortly.
Our partners (the spokes)
The Evidence Hub works through a hub-and-spoke model. Partner organisations contribute specialist evidence synthesis capacity and topic expertise, each with a named lead. The network is flexible and grows over time.
Partner organisations and their named leads will be listed here as they are confirmed.