UNCOVER | Applied Evidence Synthesis

UNCOVER Annual Report 2020-2021

Our Annual Report looks back on the first two years of UNCOVER, in 2020 and 2021, reflecting on our development as an award-winning team, a trusted partner to decision-makers nationally and globally, a source of public health evidence that crosses disciplinary boundaries and a centre for student learning and growth.

UNCOVER was created to provide rapid responses to policy-makers’ questions about COVID-19, to assist in managing the disease and dealing with its consequences. Our priority has always been to provide reliable evidence, drawing on a rigorous and systematic approach to the research literature; and not to shy away from complex questions in their real-world contexts.

We started out as a hands-on collaboration between staff and postgraduate students – all volunteers – and that ethos of teamworking, mutual respect and public service has stayed at the heart of UNCOVER. Our role as a place where students can learn and develop, while putting their public health skills into action, has become a central part of our mission. As we look to build a more sustainable, long-term future for UNCOVER, finding ways to encourage, support and reward our student members is a core priority for us.

This Annual Report looks back on the diverse ways our fantastic community have risen to the challenges of COVID-19: completing over 30 reviews and summaries for local, national and international decision-makers; supporting student growth from new volunteers to experienced review team leaders; securing several short-term grants; winning multiple awards; and much more besides.

 

 

If you are interested in finding out more about UNCOVER, requesting a review from us, or joining our team, please get in touch: usher.uncover@ed.ac.uk.