The challenges and disruptions presented by the Covid-19 pandemic this year make the need for good evidence and effective implementation even clearer: policymakers and practitioners can't afford to waste time or precious resources on initiatives that don't work.
CEI continues to leverage high-calibre research methods and world-class science in a pragmatic, cost-effective way, enabling institutions to make smarter, data-driven decisions and investments that can improve lives more quickly and for less money.
For example, an independent multi-year review we collaboratively undertook has culminated in a major report published this month, delivering important findings and recommendations that will guide the future direction of the Homeless Youth Assistance Program in New South Wales, Australia. We have also now completed a rigorous evidence review with Wellcome Trust on the effectiveness of problem-solving interventions for adolescents and young adults experiencing depression. And planning for the Evidence and Implementation Summit 2021 continues, with the program now in development.
We share details about these and other activities in our newsletter this month.
Evidence and Implementation Summit 2021 update: Program development is underway
The Evidence and Implementation Summit (#EIS2021) program committee has been reading through hundreds of abstract submissions and would like to thank all those who responded. The upside of sorting through so many quality proposals is that it enables the Summit team to pull together a program that showcases the sector's cutting edge ideas. CEI and our co-hosts Monash University are very excited about the content coming your way.
EIS 2021 will be a hybrid event, with full programs online and in person in Sydney. We will soon begin recording over 40 hours of content, made up of oral presentations and lightning talks, that will be available to registrants on demand in searchable format - not only prior to the Summit, but also for 12 months post event. We expect record audiences in person and online, who will contribute ideas, engage in interactive sessions and learn from other experts in the field. The in-person Sydney program will be broadcast live and include invited speakers and panel presentations showcasing the global implementation science movement. Alongside the live broadcast and pre-recorded content, moderated discussion events will be scheduled over the two days of the Summit, taking diverse time zones into account, enabling attendees to connect and network with key presenters. There will also be satellite events held in London and Singapore.
Early bird registrations close December 8 and we suggest that you register for the Summit at your earliest convenience. You can learn more about the opportunities your registration entitles you to here.
Expect further program announcements soon.
Evaluation reveals that the NSW Homeless Youth Assistance Program benefits vulnerable young people at early stages of risk
Vulnerable young people aged 12 to 15 years at early stages of risk accessed safe and stable accommodation and reunited with family or other support networks through the NSW Homeless Youth Assistance Program (HYAP), a CEI-led consortium’s evaluation of the program revealed. Whilst HYAP demonstrated positive outcomes for some client groups, not all young people benefited. The independent evaluation delivered findings and recommendations that will guide the next steps for delivering the HYAP program into the future.
The evaluation consortium, led by CEI with partners Monash University and the Behavioural Insights Team, used a hybrid effectiveness-implementation evaluation design to examine HYAP. Extensive consultation from a range of sources was undertaken and, for the first-time, administrative data from the homeless and child protection sectors was linked
The NSW Department of Communities and Justice has published the resulting report, Evaluation of the Homeless Youth Assistance Program, noting that the independent review has delivered important findings and recommendations that will guide the landmark program’s delivery into the future.
Wellcome Trust review of evidence on the effectiveness of problem-solving interventions for adolescents and young adults now complete
CEI and our partners Professor Bryce D. McLeod from Virginia Commonwealth University, Dr Kristina Metz from Johns Hopkins University, and Professor Aron Shlonsky from Monash University have completed a project as part of a major Wellcome Trust strategic programme, extending our Common Elements work. The Wellcome Trust programme has involved a number of systematic reviews on proposed ‘active ingredients’ in interventions for the treatment or prevention of depression or anxiety among 14-24-year olds. It is part of Wellcome Trust’s ambitious 5-year, £200m mental health strategy, which is critical of fragmented mental health research where allegiance to ‘branded’ complex interventions has not produced effective approaches that are scalable to low income contexts, and where too little attention is paid to young people’s lived experience.
Providing early intervention providers with access to the best-available evidence for practice
Early intervention providers in NSW can struggle to access relevant, valid and reliable evidence that is useful in their early intervention practice with children, young people, families and communities. CEI is working with the Targeted Earlier Intervention Program (TEI) team within the New South Wales Department of Communities and Justice (DCJ) to identify, synthesise and present evidence in a format that enables early intervention providers to select evidence-informed programs, or core program practice components, to address the needs of their targeted populations.
Evidence and Implementation Summit 2021 Virtual Series recordings available online
In the lead-up to the Evidence and Implementation Summit 2021 CEI, and our co-hosts Monash University, hosted the Evidence and Implementation Summit Virtual Series.
The Series consisted of six webinars; each considered a topic or issue facing the global evidence and implementation sector. An international audience of nearly 2,200 heard from 16 speakers overall.
The diverse sessions covered behavioural economics, ways in which innovation and evidence go hand in hand, perspectives on robust evidence and effective implementation from the global South, innovation in evaluation design, evidence use in education policy, and predictions on the coming third decade in implementation science.
Thank you to all those who connected and contributed. All six webinars were recorded and are available free on the Summit website.
CEI’s UK & Europe team grows with new appointments
CEI recently set up residence in the new Evidence Quarter, located on Petty France, in Westminster, London, and have since expanded considerably with a number of quality appointments.
The UK & Europe team, led over the last year by Director Jane Lewis, brings strength across a range of approaches including in implementation science and practice and evaluation and evidence synthesis. Team members bring professional backgrounds in children’s social care, psychology, mental health, international development and other sectors.
Please join us in welcoming:
Bianca Albers PhD, Associate Director: Bianca is co-founder of the European Implementation Collaborative and a seasoned leader in the field of implementation with more than 15 years of experience supporting local government agencies, ministerial units and NGOs in applying principles of quality implementation in practice and policy development.
Eleanor Ott PhD, Senior Advisor: Ellie has a doctorate from the Centre for Evidence-Based Intervention at the University of Oxford, where she studied as a Rhodes Scholar. She is a mixed-methods researcher and research methodologist with experience leading research across academia, government, and non-profit organisations. She joins CEI from the Rees Centre at Oxford University where she focused on research about children in the care system.
Rebecca Dean, Research Assistant: Becca has a BSc in Psychology with Music from Keele University and a Masters in Clinical and Health Psychology from University of Manchester and joins CEI from Oxford Health NHS Foundation Trust where she was a Clinical Research Facilitator. She has extensive research and practice experience particularly in mental health.
Georgina Mann, Research Assistant: Georgina has a BA in Social and Political Science from University of Cambridge and Masters in International Affairs Global Health from Sciences Po, Paris, and in Psychology from University of Edinburgh. She joins CEI from the Tavistock and Portman NHS Foundation Trust with experience of research on clinical research and evaluations of community projects for children and young people.
Ludvig Bjørndal, Research Assistant: Ludvig is based in Norway where he is currently completing a master’s in clinical psychology at the University of Oslo. He has worked across intervention and evaluation research, decision-making and behavioural psychology, clinical research, and research on risk factors for psychopathology.