At a recent consensus in Cape Town, South Africa, Harris College’s Dru Riddle, professor of professional practice and director of the Center for Translational Research within TCU’s Health Innovation Institute, played a pivotal role in shaping the future of global health care evidence synthesis. The event, hosted by the Evidence Synthesis Infrastructure Collaborative (ESIC), aimed to develop user-centered evidence synthesis infrastructure that would improve lives worldwide.
According to the ESIC website, evidence synthesis is “a means to support organizational learning” by creating open pathways of communication and information-sharing between policymakers, practitioners and citizens. Approaches proposed at the consensus include AI-driven knowledge translation tools, regional learning hubs and competency frameworks to empower evidence producers and intermediaries.
“This is a defining moment for evidence-based practice,” said Riddle. “Through ESIC, we’re building a global infrastructure that democratizes access to trustworthy evidence, led by the Global South and powered by innovation. TCU’s Center for Translational Research and Health Innovation Institute is proud to be at the forefront of this revolution, driving impact that will save lives and resources worldwide.”
Riddle’s group, one of five within the ESIC, focused on building sustainable, regionally led systems to enhance the production, translation and use of high-quality evidence, particularly in underserved regions. Riddle’s contributions have helped ensure that capacity-sharing solutions prioritize North-South collaboration and local leadership, addressing longstanding gaps in training and resources.
As the meeting concludes, TCU’s Center for Translational Research reaffirms its commitment to advancing this global movement. Riddle’s work with ESIC positions TCU as a leader in the evidence synthesis revolution, fostering a future where high-quality evidence is accessible, actionable and transformative for all.
“Dr. Riddle’s leadership in ESIC exemplifies TCU’s commitment to advancing global health and evidence-based practice,” said Susan Mace Weeks, executive vice provost and executive director of the Health Innovation Institute at TCU. “His contributions are helping to transform how the world accesses and applies evidence to address pressing societal challenges, from healthcare to sustainable development.”