Registrations are now open for the 2026 ViCBiostat Summer School.
This year, there are four courses, running from 13-19 February 2026. All courses will be available in-person and online via Zoom.
For full details and to register, please go to https://www.vicbiostat.org.au/short-courses
Causal Inference with Hidden Confounding
Date: Friday 13th February
Fees: Standard $540, Student $390
Presenter/s: Prof Eric J. Tchetgen Tchetgen, The University of Pennsylvania
Overview:
This workshop will focus on modern methods for causal identification and inference from observational data and imperfect randomized trials subject to confounding by hidden factors.
Implementing the Estimand Framework in Clinical Trials
Date: Monday 16th February
Fees: Standard $540, Student $390
Presenter/s: A/Prof Sabine Braat, University of Melbourne and Doherty Institute; Dr Anneke Grobler, Murdoch Childrens Research Institute and the University of Melbourne.
Overview:
At the end of this course you will be familiar with the estimand framework for clinical trials. You will understand the elements of the estimand, including intercurrent events and the five suggested strategies for handling intercurrent events. You will understand how to analyse trials using some of these strategies.
Pairwise and Network Meta-analysis: Fundamentals and Beyond
Dates: Tuesday 17th and Wednesday 18th February
Fees: Both days: Standard $1020, Student $740 / Single day: Standard $540, Student $390
Presenter/s: A/Prof Areti-Angeliki (Argie) Veroniki, Brown University; A/Prof Emily Karahalios, University of Melbourne; Prof Joanne McKenzie, Monash University
Overview:
Standard (pairwise) meta-analysis enables the statistical synthesis of data from multiple studies to obtain a single combined estimate of a treatment effect. Network meta-analysis is an extension to pairwise meta-analysis that allows for the comparison of multiple competing interventions that form a connected network of studies. Many of the methods for pairwise and network meta-analysis are commonplace but new methods continue to emerge. For example, new methods continue to be proposed for synthesizing data for rare outcomes, and network meta-analysis of multi-component interventions.
Note: This workshop is divided into two days. Interested persons can register for one or both days.
Cluster randomised trials: the essentials
Date: Thursday 19th February
Fees: Standard $540, Student $390
Presenter/s: Prof Jessica Kasza, Monash University; Prof Andrew Forbes. Monash University
Overview:
In this workshop you will learn about the fundamentals of cluster randomised trial designs: learning when they are appropriate; which designs are best suited to what settings; how to analyse data from these designs; and how to plan these designs (including how you can use simulation to investigate properties of designs). You’ll also learn about issues that can impact the interpretation of results from cluster randomised trials (e.g. informative cluster size), and about more flexible variants of standard design types (e.g. staircase designs, the batched stepped wedge and repeated inclusion cluster randomised trials) which can make infeasible trials feasible.
2026 ViCBiostat Summer School Venue:
Room 1022, "The Spot" Building, The University of Melbourne
198 Berkeley Street, Carlton VIC 3053
And online via Zoom meeting
Registration is open via Trybooking
Full course details: https://www.vicbiostat.org.au/short-courses
For any enquiries please contact vicbiostat@mcri.edu.au
@StatSocAus
