Changes to Cochrane’s publication process: a message to Groups from Editor-in-Chief Karla Soares-Weiser

By the end of 2023, the editorial process for all Cochrane evidence syntheses submitted for publication will be managed centrally by an expanded Central Editorial Service. Here Karla Soares-Weiser, Cochrane's Editor in Chief, shares her thoughts on the upcoming changes and the continuing role of our Cochrane Review Groups.

Cochrane has come a long way in the last 30 years, and it couldn't have happened without you. As Review Groups, you have been fundamental to our success, and your hard work and expertise have helped Cochrane to reach the forefront of health publishing.

“You have been fundamental to our success, and your hard work and expertise have helped Cochrane to reach the forefront of health publishing.“

We must now acknowledge that Cochrane operates in a very different landscape and a very different world from when our journey began. This obviously brings new challenges, but we believe it also presents opportunities to refine how Cochrane operates and to help us progress.

As you know, the Governing Board has approved a new model for producing Evidence Syntheses, which means that the whole publication process for evidence syntheses will be managed centrally from the end of this year. We have not made these changes lightly, but they are necessary for us to ensure that we move with the times and continue to produce the best possible evidence. There is a lot of support available as we all adapt to the new way of doing things, and we will continue to communicate with you regularly over the coming months.

Your contribution to Cochrane so far has been incredibly valuable and we know how much time and effort you invest to help our authors succeed. By streamlining the editorial process, we hope that you'll be able to focus more of your time and your unique expertise on supporting our authors and increasing exposure to Cochrane evidence.

“By streamlining the editorial process, we hope that you'll be able to focus more of your time and your unique expertise on supporting our authors and increasing exposure to Cochrane evidence.”

I want to thank you for all the work you have already done and I hope you will come with us on this next step in Cochrane’s journey. In these challenging times, our community is even more important than ever. Thank you for taking the time to understand what is happening and how you can be part of it.