CANSTAT Annual Meeting – November 2025

The Canadian Network for Statistical Training in Trials hosted its third Annual Meeting from November 24-25, 2025, in Toronto, Ontario. The Annual Meeting was co-chaired by Dr. Naveen Poonai (Western University), Dr. Tim Ramsay (Ottawa Hospital Research Institute), and trainee representative Dr. Myanca Rodrigues (Queen’s University). CANSTAT Education & Workshop Committee co-chairs Drs. Anna Heath (SickKids) and Hubert Wong (University of British Columbia) served as advisors. The meeting goals were (1) to understand pragmatic trial designs: balancing methodological rigor with applicability and cost-effectiveness, (2) to explore innovative trial designs, and (3) to build relationships that foster knowledge exchange and career development. The Annual Meeting featured presentations from world renowned experts (Drs. Samina Ali, Mohit Bhandari, Marion Campbell, Matt Psioda, and Merrick Zwarenstein) on topics including patient and family engagement in research, scientific creativity, statistical reflections on pragmatic trials, Bayesian methods in action, and common misconceptions about pragmatic trials. The Annual Meeting also included a panel discussion about funding and performing adaptive trials. A highlight of the Annual Meeting was the presentations prepared by the second cohort of CANSTAT trainees about their learning experiences and advice for the new cohort. Trainees received certificates for successfully completing the program. The Annual Meeting included statisticians, clinicians, industry representatives, CANSTAT trainees, and trainees from IMPaCT, another clinical trials training platform. The event was a fantastic opportunity for attendees to build connections and learn together. CANSTAT would like to thank its funder, CIHR, and meeting sponsors AstraZeneca, Baylis Medical Technologies, and Moderna.