The DECIDE project had a strong and visible presence at the Society for Veterinary Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine (SVEPM) Conference 2026, held on 25 – 27 March in London, UK. With around 300 participants, this year’s edition marked a record attendance and provided an important platform for scientific exchange, collaboration and innovation in veterinary epidemiology. DECIDE partners contributed through poster and oral presentations and a dedicated workshop, demonstrating the project’s progress in developing data-driven decision-support tools for animal health and their pathway towards practical implementation.
Before the conference
DECIDE partners used the opportunity to meet before the conference to examine the current status of individual tools, identify challenges and discuss solutions. These exchanges provided a comprehensive overview of the exploitation readiness of DECIDE outputs. The session also reinforced the importance of continuous alignment between technical development, stakeholder needs and exploitation strategies, ensuring that DECIDE tools are positioned for uptake beyond the project. In this collaborative spirit, partners were ready to engage with the conference’s participants.
What research did DECIDE showcase through posters and presentations?
DECIDE partners presented a diverse portfolio of tools and research outcomes addressing animal health monitoring, disease detection and user-centred decision-support systems. Posters from DECIDE:
- “AbattoirInspect: a new data visualisation and benchmarking tool for meat inspection results” by Maria Costa, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
- “Detecting bovine coronavirus outbreaks from deviations in milk yield at farm level” by Lars Erik Gangsei, Norwegian Veterinary Institute (NVI)
- “Decision support tools for aquaculture” by Annette Boerlage, Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC)
- “Evaluation of the usability and usefulness of animal health dashboards” by Jenny Frössling, Swedish Veterinary Agency (SVA)
- “Lessons learned when designing dashboards” by Carla Correia-Gomes, Animal Health Ireland (AHI)
Together, these contributions demonstrated how DECIDE supports stakeholders with tools that are not only scientifically robust but also tailored to user needs and real-world application contexts. In addition, partners from Utrecht University delivered two oral presentations on “A stochastic model to assess the multidimensional impact of Mycoplasma hyopneumoniae and the effectiveness of intervention strategies in fattening pigs” by Marloes Boeters and “Optimising stocking density to support health and welfare in broiler production” by Yara Slegers.
As noted by the project coordinator, Gerdien van Schaik, “The strong interest in both our posters and presentations confirmed the relevance of DECIDE tools for addressing real-world animal health challenges.”
Indeed, as reported by multiple partners, the DECIDE team was approached by numerous experts seeking to exchange knowledge, discuss ongoing work and seek opportunities for collaborations.
What was the focus of the DECIDE workshop?
A central highlight of DECIDE’s contribution was its interactive workshop: Maximising research impact by using business models.
The session explored how research outcomes can achieve greater impact when value propositions and implementation pathways are considered from an early stage. Participants were introduced to key principles, including identifying end users, defining the value of research outputs and selecting effective dissemination and exploitation strategies.
Through hands-on group work, participants developed the narrative of their projects and translated these into structured business models using the Business Model Canvas. Plenary discussions highlighted the value of a compelling story, how structured reflection can improve research focus, strengthen stakeholder alignment and increase the likelihood of practical implementation. The workshop concluded with key insights and guidance for applying these tools in future projects.
The workshop attracted around 30 participants and was received very positively. As one attendee reflected, “It was an eye-opener to see how business thinking can directly enhance the impact and uptake of scientific research.”
What are the key takeaways from SVEPM 2026 and why is it important for DECIDE?
Participation in SVEPM 2026 provided valuable insights and reinforced the strategic direction of the DECIDE project. The strong engagement at SVEPM 2026 confirms DECIDE’s relevance in advancing innovative, data-driven approaches to animal health management. DECIDE contributes to bridging the gap between research and practice. The conference also enabled extensive networking and exchange with the wider veterinary epidemiology community, strengthening existing collaborations and opening opportunities for future cooperation. The project continues to support more effective, evidence-based decision-making in veterinary epidemiology across Europe.
Want to learn more and engage with DECIDE? Join our final event!
The SVEPM conference marks an important step towards the final phase of the DECIDE project, closing by the end of June 2026. Do you want to explore project results, discover tools and connect with partners and experts across Europe?