What we do

The Evidence Hub supports health security by making evidence easier to find, judge and use. We focus on the questions that matter most for preparedness, response and recovery.

Prioritisation support

We help decision-makers and partners work out which evidence questions are most urgent and important, so limited time and expertise are used well and duplication is avoided.

Rapid evidence synthesis

We produce rapid reviews and evidence briefs when a timely answer is needed. A rapid review uses streamlined methods to answer a focused question quickly, and the methods are recorded so users can see what was done and what the limits are.

Living evidence

Some topics change quickly. For these we may use living evidence approaches, so the evidence is checked and updated as important new research becomes available.

Knowledge translation

Evidence is only useful if people can understand and apply it. We translate evidence into clear summaries, decision-focused briefings and plain-language explanations, and we are clear about how certain the evidence is and what trade-offs may be involved.

Methods and quality assurance

We develop and use shared methods for rapid evidence work, covering searching, screening, data extraction, quality appraisal, synthesis, certainty assessment and reporting. Technology, including AI-assisted methods, may be used where appropriate, but only within a human-led, quality-assured and evaluated process.

Capacity building

We build national capacity through training, methods support, simulations and learning-by-doing in commissioned reviews, so Ireland has skilled people and tested systems ready before they are needed.