Evidence synthesis methods compile and evaluate existing research to support robust, efficient, and transparent decision-making. Despite their growing use in the agri-food sector, the community remains fragmented, limiting their overall efficacy and uptake. To address these challenges and raise awareness of the value of evidence syntheses in agri-food decision-making, five Working Groups have been established.
Working Group 1
Setting the scene: Assessing the current state of evidence synthesis in agri-food
Main aim: To understand the current state of evidence synthesis in the agri-food sector including identifying research gaps, needs, and barriers to uptake, and strategies to enhance evidence synthesis efficacy.
Tasks: 1. Prepare evidence synthesis guidelines/signposting to existing materials for different stakeholders 2. Conduct interviews and concept-knowledge workshops with key stakeholders in agri-food to assess the current state of evidence synthesis in the sector and to identify stakeholder needs, research gaps, barriers to uptake, and potential solutions to challenges. Produce a report on the findings. (Led by WG4 in collaboration with WG 1) 3. Publish a scientific/opinion paper on the state of the art of evidence synthesis in the agri-food sector, research gaps and potential ways to enhance its applicability (WG1 in collaboration with WG4)
Working Group 2
Improving competencies in evidence synthesis
Main aim: Build capacity in evidence synthesis in the agri-food sector by delivering targeted training and sharing best practices with researchers and practitioners new to the field. Through these efforts, this action seeks to foster a strong community of practice and enhance the uptake of evidence synthesis in research and decision-making.
Tasks: 1. Develop training materials for training schools and webinars 2. Prepare and deliver webinars for non-academic audience 3. Prepare and deliver training schools
Working Group 3
Developing/identifying new methods of evidence synthesis
Main aim: To improve the efficiency and utilisation of evidence synthesis in the agri-food sector by fostering expert collaboration, building capacity, and streamlining processes to reduce time and cost, for example through application of novel technologies such as Artificial Intelligence.
Tasks: 1. Conduct two 4-day hackathons (or series of shorter seminars) to develop new evidence synthesis methodology, to improve efficacy 2. Prepare and publish a scientific paper on the potential application of technological advances in evidence synthesis 3. Present findings at international conference 4. Prepare and deliver one training school on the new evidence synthesis methodology 5. Prepare, deliver and record (for the EU-NESA website) a webinar on the new evidence synthesis methodology.
Working Group 4
Capacity building with decision and policy makers
Main aim: To explore the opportunities and challenges faced by end users in applying evidence synthesis for decision-making in the agri-food sector.
Tasks: 1. Deliver two training schools involving decision and policy makers (in collaboration with WG 1 and WG 2) 2. Conduct interviews and concept-knowledge workshops with key stakeholders in agri-food, including decision and policy-makers, to assess the current state of evidence synthesis in the sector and to identify stakeholder needs, research gaps, barriers to uptake, and potential solutions to challenges. Produce a report on the findings. (In collaboration with WG1). 3. A scientific/ opinion paper on the barriers to uptake of evidence synthesis by decision and policy makers and potential strategies to overcome them (based on the results of the interviews and workshop in close collaboration with WG 1). 4. Presentation at international conference on the barriers to uptake of evidence synthesis by decision and policy makers and potential solutions to these challenges. 5. Guidelines/simplified feasibility study, for decision and policy-makers, outlining pathways to achieving the evidence-based transition of agri-food systems.
Working Group 5
Community building, dissemination and communication
Main aim: Disseminate knowledge generated by the EU-NESA Action to a wide audience, to enable stakeholders to effectively implement evidence synthesis within the agri-food sector to underpin policy and decision-making.
Tasks: 1. Develop a stakeholder engagement plan 2. Support other Working Groups in promoting and disseminating information about their events and activities through various communication channels, including the website, newsletters, and other media platforms. 3. Support in the development and running of the EU-NESA website 4. Responsible for communication activities through social media and the production of newsletters. 4. Organize two conferences within the EU-NESA Action, the first to present the state of the art and Action events and tasks, and the second to consolidate and disseminate the achievements and outcomes of the initiative.