PhD student wins first prize in Cochrane Collaboration Competition

Anwen Cope, a School of Dentistry graduate, has won a prestigious competition organised by the Cochrane Collaboration.

The organisers of the Cochrane UK & Ireland Symposium 2014 challenged students to communicate the findings of a Cochrane review in a way that would be accessible to a lay audience through a dynamic new medium (either a Prezi, video or via Upgoer 5). Anwen chose to present the findings of a systematic review on the effects of scale and polish on periodontal health in adults via Prezi. Whilst familiar with Prezi, it was the challenge of how this medium could be used to present research findings that appealed to her.

Scale and polish is the most common procedure undertaken by general dental practitioners in the UK (after examination), and there is debate as to the effectiveness of these treatments and, if effective, how often they should be carried out.

Anwen said, "as part of my prize I was able to attend the Cochrane’s UK & Ireland Annual Competition. This was an excellent opportunity to learn more about systematic review methodology. As a Cochrane author, it was great to be able to meet members of the Cochrane Oral Health Group who had provided such excellent support throughout the review."

Anwen, whose PhD studies relate to antimicrobial resistance and prescribing in dentistry, is in the final year of her PhD which is hosted jointly by the Wales School for Primary Care Research and the Dental Public Health Unit. In terms of future career plans, Anwen states, "I would like to continue as a clinical academic, combining dentistry and research. Hopefully completing my PhD is the first step on this path."

Congratulations, Anwen, on your win from all of us here in the Postgraduate Recruitment Team!

Find out more about postgraduate research opportunities in our School of Dentistry.