Sally Hopewell

My key areas of research expertise are in the design, conduct and transparent reporting of randomized trials and systematic reviews. I have published a number of research studies in these areas and have been instrumental in the development of key reporting guidelines including the CONSORT and SPIRIT Statements.

In my current role I am involved in leading the design and delivery of clinical trials within the OCTRU portfolio. I am co-chief investigator on several NIHR funded trials in the areas of rehabilitation and musculoskeletal sciences and co-investigator on a number of other NIHR funded trials and evidence syntheses.

Previously, I worked at the Centre for Statistics in Medicine (2007 – 2015) on an MRC-funded programme of research related to CONSORT and the conduct and reporting of clinical trials. I also worked, and continue to collaborate with, the Centre d’Epidemiologie Clinique (2012 – present), University Paris Descartes, on research activities related to the methodology of systematic reviews and randomized trials. Prior to this I worked at the UK Cochrane Centre (2004 – 2012) and with the NHS National Blood Service (2010 – 2012) systematic review programme. In 2005, I was awarded a D.Phil at the University of Oxford on research into the effects of unpublished data in systematic reviews.

I have a particular interest in clinical trial registration, data sharing, transparent reporting of trial protocols, development of core outcome sets, pilot trials and trials of complex interventions. I am a member of the advisory board for Current Controlled Trials, a member of the NIHR Open Research Advisory Board and member of the NIHR Health Technology Assessment Clinical Evaluation and Trials Board (2018-2023). I regularly carry out peer review for high impact medical journals and various funding bodies (e.g. NIHR and Medical Research Council).

I have considerable experience in the teaching and supervision of MSc and DPhil students both at the University of Oxford and Université Paris Descartes; and previously for the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and Stellenbosch University in South Africa.