Amin Sharifan, research assistant and doctoral candidate at the Department for Evidence-Based Medicine and Evaluation at the University for Continuing Education Krems, has been awarded the prestigious Bill Silverman Prize from Cochrane. The annual award recognizes scientific work that contributes to the advancement of Cochrane practices through originality and critical thinking.
The award is named after William (Bill) Silverman, a pioneer in American neonatology and evidence-based medicine. His constant questioning of scientific principles continues to shape Cochrane's values today, particularly the importance of constructive criticism as an impetus for methodological development
Analysis of two decades of Cochrane reviews
In his award-winning study, Sharifan analyzed Cochrane reviews published over two decades. In doing so, he identified several starting points for improving global representation in evidence synthesis. Among other things, there is a need for action in terms of the participation of researchers from low- and middle-income countries and the inclusion of previously underrepresented population groups such as older people or sexual and gender minorities.
In his award-winning study, Sharifan analyzed Cochrane reviews published over a period of two decades.
The work is guided by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals – in particular SDG 4 “Quality Education” and SDG 10 “Reduced Inequalities” – and formulates recommendations on how to strengthen the inclusiveness and global reach of evidence synthesis.
“Receiving the Bill Silverman Award is a great honor for me,” says Sharifan. “Joining the group of previous award winners and building on their pioneering work in evidence-based medicine is both a privilege and an opportunity to continue the efforts toward a more inclusive evidence synthesis.”
Focus on previously underestimated evidence signal
Sharifan is a researcher at the Department for Evidence-Based Medicine and Evaluation and is also enrolled as a doctoral student. His dissertation, funded by the Lower Austrian Research Promotion Agency, is dedicated to the interpretation and reporting of statistically non-significant results that nevertheless contain indications of clinical efficacy or possible safety concerns. This is an aspect that is insufficiently addressed in many studies but is essential for evidence-based clinical decision-making.
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