Global Panel: COVID-END needs citizen members - due Oct 5, 2020

[A Former User]

COVID-END’s global panel seeks citizen members

• Nominations close 5th October 2020

The COVID-19 pandemic has elicited an explosion of activities among all types of researchers, including in the evidence-synthesis, technology-assessment and guideline-development communities. These activities span the full range of COVID-19 issues, including traditional infection prevention and control but also how to manage impacts on mental health and family violence, health- and social-care systems, education, employment, financial protection, food safety and security, government services, housing, public safety and justice, recreation and transportation. These activities also span the full array of contexts where the COVID-19 pandemic is playing out, including low-, middle- and high-income countries. The COVID-19 Evidence Network to support Decision-making (COVID-END) is a time-limited initiative involving nearly 50 partners drawn from many of the best known evidence synthesis, technology assessment and guideline groups around the world. COVID-END is convening a global panel to proactively identify both long-term and emergent issues that need to be prioritized in efforts to synthesize the best available research evidence to support decision-making about COVID-19. More information about COVID-END can be found here.

Who are we looking for?
COVID-END is looking for citizens to join its global panel. The global panel is currently composed of 35 members with a range of perspectives: citizens, service providers, policymakers, and researchers.
We encourage nominations from an enthusiastic and diverse range of citizens who can bring different perspectives to our global panel, including:

1. experience with one or more of public-health measures, clinical management of COVID-19 and pandemic-related conditions like mental-health issues, health-system arrangements, and economic and social responses (e.g., education and food security);
2. being based in different regions (e.g., Americas, eastern Mediterranean, Europe, south-east Asia, sub-Saharan Africa, and western Pacific); and
3. being based in a country or region where one or more of six languages is widely spoken (i.e., Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Portuguese or Spanish) while being able to read and either speak or write (even at a basic level) in English.

What are we asking from members of the global panel?
We are asking for 90 minutes of panelist’s time each month for up to seven months over the next year, which includes:

1. 30 minutes to read and reflect on a short briefing note about what the COVID-END secretariat has identified as potential long-term and emergent issues that need to be prioritized (based on a review of horizon-scanning work of other groups around the world); and
2. 60 minutes to participate in an online call to share reflections and suggest priorities, which can be done:
   a. by speaking up during the call,
   b. by adding comments in the ‘chat box,’ or
   c. by drafting an email that can be sent immediate after the call ends

All communication is online. This panel is international. No specific skills are required. You do not need to have prior research experience. COVID-END will support the translation of your ideas into research 1280 Main Street West MML-417 | Hamilton, Ontario L8S 4L6 Tel: +1-905-525-9140 x22121 | E-mail: covidend@mcmaster.ca Web: www.covid-end.org priorities. We provide training and mentoring, and are happy to answer any questions you have as they emerge to ensure that you feel confident contributing to the global panel.

What’s in it for members of the global panel?
Participating in the global panel will provide you with the opportunity to:

1. keep abreast of the best available evidence about COVID-19;
2. learn about what you may want to consider in supporting the pandemic response in your own country or region; 3) shape the direction of future efforts to synthesize the best available research evidence to support decision-making about COVID-19; and
3. be recognized as a panel member on the COVID-END website and in any related COVID-END documents. Together we can make a big difference in minimizing the human suffering being caused by COVID-19. We can also position ourselves optimally for addressing the more everyday challenges that we will return to when the worst of COVID-19 is behind us.

When will the global panel calls take place?
The global panel will meet monthly from 7-8 am Eastern Time, with meetings planned for September 30, October 28, November 25, January 27, February 24, April 28 and May 26.

I’m interested in joining the global panel. How can I apply?
• Candidates should submit a statement of candidacy that covers: o their name and email address; o their experience and/or interest in one or more of public-health measures, clinical management, health-system arrangements, and economic and social responses; o the country (or region) where they are based; o their primary language spoken; and o their level of comfort reading 2-4 page document in English and listening to a call in English once a month (knowing that you can share feedback in your preferred language).
• Candidates should send their application by email to covidend@mcmaster.ca by 8 September 2020
• Selection will aim to achieve a balance in regional, linguistic and other considerations and will be communicated by the COVID-END secretariat by 11 September 2020
• A brief information webinar will be held with potential citizen panelists during the week of 14 September

[A Former User]

I have applied via email as requested.

[A Former User]

Richard, I saw your application which I presume you sent to the covidend@mcmaster.ca email. It was very impressive and I hope that you succeed. Alies

[A Former User]

Bonne chance aussi Richard.... I also applied, and it would be great if two of us from PAN were selected! Toby

[A Former User]

Thank you to both of you for your kind words and good luck to Toby. Richard