Last week, from 5 to 8 November, 671 attendees from 25 countries and 159 companies gathered in Birmingham, UK for the PHUSE EU Connect 2023!
The high level of engagement and diverse perspectives significantly contributed to the overall success of the event – it was a ground-breaking fusion of brilliant minds, technologies and innovations in the realm of data science and healthcare.
The success of this year’s EU Connect lies not only in the wealth of information shared, but also in the spirit of collaboration that filled every session and interaction – a key driver for transformative change in the industry.
Hear from Edwin van Stein, 2023 Connect Chair, for his thoughts on the event:
“After the Olympics, people always fall over each other to say that it was the best Olympics ever… I think I can safely say that for the PHUSE EU Connect 2023 in Birmingham, this is actually true and that it was the best PHUSE EU Connect ever! But maybe that’s just because being a Connect Chair influences how you experience it all.
It was truly an amazing four days. Everywhere I looked (and I moved around quite a bit, I can assure you!) I saw people collaborating, innovating and being inspired by others. Everyone I talked to commented on how well organised the event was and how high the quality of the content was. The venue (ICC Birmingham) and the support from their staff was very good and ensured everything ran smoothly. Add to that the awesome networking and socialising and you can conclude it was a great event, from the first workshops on Sunday until the closing and handing out of the awards on Wednesday.
As I mentioned during the closing session, I want to thank the people who made this EU Connect the resounding success it was. First of all, the Stream Chairs, who gathered, reviewed and moderated the content you saw over the four days. Next up, my Co-Chairs, Anne-Sophie and Jennie – your help and input were indispensable this last year. Then there’s the planning committee, where the invaluable experience of Anup and Stephen ensured I didn’t mess things up too badly. I’d also like to thank the members of the PHUSE Board of Directors for always being willing to help and step in where needed. I think I made some of you work your fingers to the bone. And last, but definitely not least, you saw the ladies from the PHUSE Office everywhere during this Connect. You saw them at registration. You saw them talking to the people from the venue, the AV guys, the exhibitors, etc. And you saw them putting out fires. Or, likely you didn’t see them putting out fires, because they put them out before you were even aware. Thank you all for a great job and for keeping me on track this last year!
What’s left for me is to look ahead at what’s coming in terms of PHUSE Connects. First up will be the US Connect 2024 in February in Bethesda, MD. Bhavin, Karnika and Kirsty, I’m certain you’ll do well and that it will be a huge success! We can start looking ahead at the EU Connect 2024, which I leave in the very capable hands of Anne-Sophie, Jennie and Jin, and I’m sure, like the Olympics, 2024 will be even better than 2023!”
PHUSE Recognition is a new awards framework that celebrates the Community’s exceptional achievements across all PHUSE activity over the course of the year.
A large part of this framework is awarding the outstanding contributions at our events. New for the EU Connect 2023, we announced the Best in Connect and the Best Connect Newcomer award winners.
Best in Connect Winner
Scripts, Macros & Automation (SM) – SM08: Michael Hedegaard Thomsen, Novo Nordisk
Best Connect Newcomer Winners
Leadership Through Innovation (LI) – LI05: Jessica Anderson, Plus-Project
Connected Health & Machine Learning (CM) – CM06: Ercan Sükür, Roche
Best in Stream Winners
Application Development (AD) – AD15: Erik Lemmens & Paul Foole, Johnson & Johnson
Analytical Risk-based Monitoring (AR) – AR07: Ece Kavalci & Zaid Al-Jubouri, Lindus Health
Analytics & Statistics (AS) – AS10: Soumitra Kar, Novo Nordisk
Coding Tips & Tricks (CT) – CT05: Timothy Lachlan-Cope, AstraZeneca
Connected Health & Machine Learning (CM) – CM06: Ercan Sükür, Roche
Data Handling & Data Engineering (DH)– DH02: Pierre Dostie & András Kása, UCB Biosciences
Data Standards & Governance (DS) – DS07: Selena Baset & Philipp Thomas Ernst, Roche
Data Visualisation (DV) – DV01: Gustav Söderström,AstraZeneca
Leadership Through Innovation (LI) – LI03: Christian Müller, Roche & Francis Kendall, AstraZeneca
Professional Development (PD) – PD05: Mark Bynens, Johnson & Johnson
People Leadership & Management (PM) – PM06: Christoph Ziegler & Donald Paterson, Johnson & Johnson
Poster Presentations (PP) – PP16: Vitali Gering & Sophia Praeger, Chrestos Concept
Real-world Evidence (RE) – RE06: Vikas Shokeen, Novartis
Submissions & Agencies (SA) – SA07: Phillip Spowart, Fortrea
Software Demonstrations (SD) – SD04: Rebecca Bates & Nekzad Shroff, Saama Technologies
Standards Implementation (SI) – SI02: Magdalena Krochmal & Amy Franklin, Roche
Scripts, Macros & Automation (SM) – SM02: Tiina Kirsilä, Novartis & Anna Wiksten, Bristol Myers Squibb
Trends & Technology (TT) – TT06: Paul Shannon, Katalyze Data
PHUSE are pleased to have made a donation on behalf of the award winners to the Marfan Trust, in memory of John Hirst, PHUSE Board Member. Read the full tribute to John here.
Feedback Survey
Here at PHUSE, our Community's feedback is extremely valued and we love to hear about our attendee's experiences at PHUSE events.
Congratulations to Brenda Finney, Instem, for winning the survey completion prize. We would like to give a big thank you to Brenda, and all the other survey respondents for taking the time to provide their feedback to helps us shape future events.
EU Connect 2024
We enjoyed collaborating with you this year, and we can’t wait for the next EU Connect, which will be held in Strasbourg, France, 10–13 November.
Hear from the 2024 Connect Chair, Anne-Sophie Bekx:
“It was an honour and a privilege co-chairing the EU Connect 2023 with Edwin and Jennie! We went on a fantastic journey of knowledge sharing, networking and collaborative communications. The bar certainly has been set for the 2024 conference, and I’m looking forward to stepping up to the challenge with Jennie and Jin. Call for Papers for the 2024 conference will open in March and, as always, we aim to bring you great presentations, posters, Hands-on Workshops, interactive sessions, networking, and social events. I hope to see you all in Strasbourg!”