The Role of Research in Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence

Speaker Series N°9, co-hosted with the Charité Center for Global Health, will focus on the crucial role of high-quality research in strengthening pandemic and epidemic intelligence and guiding evidence-based public health decisions. 

The session will highlight findings from the recently published Research Prioritization for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, an initiative led by the WHO Hub for Pandemic and Epidemic Intelligence, in collaboration with Charité, GloPID-R, the WHO Science Division, and the Wellcome Trust. This global effort brought together researchers, public health experts, and decision-makers to identify and prioritize 23 key research areas crucial for effective public health surveillance. 

The session will explore the outcomes and lessons from this research prioritization process, showcase examples of impactful research in pandemic intelligence, and discuss how these insights enhance surveillance and inform decision-making. 

Key questions to be addressed include: 

• How can researchers align with public health needs and strengthen disease surveillance? 
• How can funding bodies coordinate to address fragmentation and ensure targeted support? 
• How can research findings be effectively integrated into decision-making? 

The invited speakers—researchers, funders, and decision-makers—will share insights and discuss the way forward.