Bristol Evidence synthesis, Appraisal and Modelling (BEAM) Centre

Introduction

The Bristol Evidence synthesis, Appraisal and Modelling (BEAM) Centre is a centre of excellence for evidence synthesis and modelling, bringing together researchers from across Bristol Medical School to support decision making in health and care. With a shared focus on applied and methodological rigour, our teams generate high-quality evidence to improve patient outcomes and public health. 

Through our funded infrastructure and informal research groupings, we deliver timely, inclusive and policy-relevant applied evidence syntheses that respond directly to the needs of decision-makers, practitioners and the public. 

BEAM has pioneered methodological developments across all areas of evidence synthesis and health economic modelling. Our teams lead in advancing the methods for systematic review, critical appraisal, meta-analysis, economic and statistical modelling that underpin rigorous, resilient and transparent decision-making.

BEAM comprises the following research groups.

• The Bristol Technology Assessment Group (Bristol TAG), led by Prof Nicky Welton and Prof Penny Whiting
• The NIHR Bristol Evidence Synthesis Group (Bristol ESG), led by Prof Julian Higgins and Prof Deborah Caldwell
• The NIHR Bristol Evidence Synthesis for Screening (BESS) Group, led by Prof Penny Whiting and Dr Hayley Jones
• The NIHR Specialised Living Evidence Synthesis Group: Bristol, UCL and King's Living Evidence Synthesis (BUcKLES), led by Prof Julian Higgins
• The Bristol Appraisal and Review of Research (BARR) group, led by Prof Julian Higgins
• The Multi-Parameter Evidence Synthesis (MPES) research group, led by Prof Nicky Welton and Dr Hayley Jones
• The NICE Guidelines Technical Support Unit (TSU), led by Prof Nicky Welton and Dr Hugo Pedder
• The Health Economics Modelling Bristol University Group (HEMBUG), led by Dr Howard Thom
• The Evidence Team of the NIHR Applied Research Collaboration West (ARC West), led by Dr Jelena Savović and Prof Julian Higgins
• There is interest and expertise in qualitative and mixed methods within the centre. Contact: Dr Christie Cabral

The BEAM Centre is overseen by its Leadership Group:

• Deborah Caldwell
• Julian Higgins (co-chair)
• Hayley Jones
• Jelena Savović
• Howard Thom
• Nicky Welton (co-chair)
• Penny Whiting