Dr Matt Lloyd Jones is an evidence synthesist with a particular interest in the microbial sciences. Matt studied (mostly human) geography at undergraduate, moved towards a mix of lab and computational microbial ecology in his PhD, and can now usually be found behind a computer doing evidence synthesis, data science and/or statistical work. Matt is also Open Research Champion for the Department of Public Health & Sports Sciences alongside Callum O’Malley.

Matt is interested making quality evidence more readily available for decision-making – often in fields such as the microbial sciences and ecology where evidence-based practice does not have such a precedent. He primarily uses the tools of evidence synthesis to achieve this – seeking to bring together and assess the quality of the best available scientific evidence to inform better decision-making. He is also interested in evidence-based practice more generally – seeking to apply and promote the principles of evidence-based medicine, statistics and open research. Matt has recently worked on a systematic review and meta-analysis of veterinary microbiology studies of the effect of antibiotic administration and antibiotic resistance in beef cattle production, and previously led an interdisciplinary project working with farmers to explore digital health solutions in managing sheep lameness. He is now working on a systematic review and meta-analysis about the association between recreational exposure to sewage-polluted bathing waters and potential infections.