The 7th RUHR School of Modern Epidemiology will take place from July 7–10, 2026 at the Haus der Technik in Essen. This year’s theme, “Applied Epidemiologic Analysis for Causal Inference,” focuses on strengthening both the theoretical foundations and practical application of causal methods in empirical research 📊.

The course will be led by Katherine Lesko (Johns Hopkins University), a renowned expert in causal inference known for her outstanding teaching and ability to translate complex methodology into hands-on analytical practice.

Over four intensive days, participants will explore key concepts such as causal identification conditions, potential outcomes, structural causal models (including DAGs), the target trial framework, estimands, target population principles, and g-methods. The program combines theory with practical “paper and pencil” exercises and hands-on computer labs using R or SAS 💻✏️. The goal is to equip attendees with the skills to confidently apply causal inference methods in their own studies.

The RUHR School is particularly relevant for professionals and researchers in clinical and epidemiological research, medical data science, and machine learning who aim to draw robust causal conclusions from empirical data 🔬.

Registration is open until June 2, 2026. Further details on course content and enrollment are available via the official RUHR School website.

Civil society and community representatives are invited to participate in the upcoming Pandemic Fund Civil Society Townhall on 7 July, from 1:00–2:30 p.m. UK time (GMT+1). 🗓️

This interactive session will provide updates on the 2026 High-Level Meeting (HLM) on Pandemic Prevention, Preparedness and Response (PPPR), key outcomes from the latest Pandemic Fund Board meeting, and opportunities for civil society engagement in ongoing and upcoming Pandemic Fund grants. Discussions will also cover the Fund’s fourth Call for Proposals and support for the Accelerated Ebola Response. 💬🤝

The meeting will be held in English with French interpretation, with Portuguese and Spanish interpretation potentially available depending on registration demand.

🔗 Register in advance: https://worldbankgroup.zoom.us/meeting/register/WjUFW-cTTyOxApXgzRKCaA

Information materials for the fourth Call for Proposals are available in English, French, and Portuguese via the Pandemic Fund website.

Participation is open to civil society and community representatives only.

What can the Ebola response in West Africa teach us about mental health, trust, and outbreak preparedness today?

We warmly invite you to our upcoming webinar "Ebola and Mental Health: Lessons from the CDC Response in West Africa, 2014-2015" on July 15, 13:00-14:00 CEST. 

Drawing on the 2014–2015 Ebola outbreak in West Africa and its rapid escalation, this webinar will explore why mental health and psychosocial support must be considered an essential part of outbreak response. The session will connect past lessons to current challenges, including the ongoing Ebola outbreak caused by Bundibugyo virus in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and Uganda.

We are delighted to welcome Dr. Anna Grigoryan as our keynote speaker. Based on her personal experience and deployment to Sierra Leone in 2015 as part of the CDC Ebola Response Mission, Dr. Grigoryan will share reflections on key response activities, communication challenges, and the intersection of Ebola response and mental health. The webinar will highlight why coordinated, international, and rapidly scaled-up responses are essential to reduce illness, deaths, fear, and psychosocial distress during outbreaks.

Agenda
13:00–13:30 Keynote by Dr. Anna Grigoryan
13:30–13:50 Q&A session
13:50–14:00 Wrap-up

About the speaker
Dr. Anna Grigoryan is a physician–scientist with over 20 years of international experience leading complex public health projects, fostering innovation, and building strategic partnerships. She spearheaded the WHO–CDC Collaborating Center for Global Public Health Informatics, serving as its first Program Manager. During her tenure at the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), she contributed directly to emergency responses to major crises, including the Haiti and China earthquakes, the avian influenza outbreak, and the Fukushima nuclear accident.

In 2015, Dr. Grigoryan supported the Sierra Leone Ministry of Health during the Ebola epidemic as part of the CDC Ebola Response Mission. In her more recent role at the UN/IAEA, she managed a portfolio of projects focused on laboratory strengthening, cancer control, and emergency preparedness, supporting Member States across Africa. She has also mentored emerging leaders and promoted cultures of accountability and inclusion during periods of organizational transition.

This webinar is intended for public health and mental health professionals, as well as everyone interested in Ebola response, outbreak control, pandemic preparedness, and mental health and psychosocial support.

Please note:
The webinar will be recorded. If you do not wish to appear in the recording, you are welcome to keep your camera turned off.

We look forward to your participation and to an engaging discussion on the role of mental health in outbreak response.

For further details, please contact:

Katrin Würfel and Nadja Moser or the Hub Management Team at info@globalhealthhub.de

Summer School on Evidence-Based Public Health
📅 Five-day intensive programme | 📍 Munich, Germany

Public health professionals, researchers and decision-makers from across Europe are invited to join this immersive Summer School dedicated to advancing evidence-based public health 📊🌍.

Designed for mid-career professionals, PhD candidates and researchers working on systematic reviews, guideline development and complex public health interventions, the programme provides both conceptual foundations and hands-on training. Participants will deepen their understanding of complexity perspectives, logic models, evidence synthesis methods, meta-analysis, Risk of Bias (RoB) tools and the GRADE approach, as well as the growing role of AI in strengthening systematic reviews.

Through interactive lectures, small-group exercises and practical sessions, attendees will build skills in critically appraising systematic reviews, applying evidence-to-decision frameworks, and translating knowledge into policy and practice 💡. The programme also emphasizes stakeholder engagement and effective knowledge translation strategies to bridge research and real-world impact.

Beyond the academic sessions, participants will connect with peers from diverse public health institutions and enjoy social activities, including a guided public health walk through Munich and a Summer School dinner 🤝✨.

Registration is open from 15th January 2026. Please register using this registration form. 

🌍🩺 The 2nd World Congress on Advances in Preventive Medicine and Public Health (Preventive Medicine 2026) will take place on July 20–21, 2026, in Vienna, Austria.

Under the theme “Innovative Strategies and Global Collaboration for a Healthier Future”, the congress will bring together international experts in public health, epidemiology, preventive care, and health policy to discuss emerging solutions to global health challenges.

The event will feature keynote presentations, interactive panel discussions, poster sessions, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration, innovation, and practical strategies for improving public health and preventive medicine worldwide. 🤝📊