With experience as a doctor in the UK NHS and in Papua New Guinea, Paul Garner was part of the team that set up Cochrane. This organization successfully mainstreamed systematic reviews globally as a method and has been highly influential in institutionalising their use in formal guideline development at the World Health Organization.

The journey, mostly while Paul has been at the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine, has been incredibly exciting. Cochrane Infectious Diseases Reviews provided evidence that led to the introduction of insecticide treated bed nets, and underpinned the roll out of artemisinin-based combination treatments. At times the Group have challenged global health dogmas, and Paul has been subject to aggressive, quite personal attacks for highlighting the fiddles, tweaks and perversions by people intent on triumph over truth in their field.

Paul quietly became a professor some years ago, but wants to give a final valedictory with stories of intrigue arising out of the hundreds of author teams he has worked with seeking the “truth”. Professor David Lalloo, Director of the School, is the host, and Professor George Davey Smith, Professor of Clinical Epidemiology in Bristol, will give a personal commendation.

Registration will be open from 5pm and the lecture will start promptly at 5.30pm.

A drinks reception held in the Nyankunde, will be available to all in person attendees following the lecture.

This event will be live streamed and recorded.

LSTM is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2023 with an exciting programme of events. If you would like to be kept up to date with further news and events regarding our 125 campaign please click here.

Truth not Triumph: backstage at Cochrane Infectious Diseases