The launch of the Causal Inference Consultation Service

SMARTbiomed is starting off 2026 strong with a new initiative to foster collaboration across and among our different hubs and between researchers with different skillsets and focuses. Spearheaded by Paweł Morzywołek, Assistant Professor of Biostatistics at our University of Copenhagen hub, the new Causal Inference Consultation Service is an initiative offering researchers associated with SMARTbiomed the opportunity to field questions on causal inference to an expert and perhaps be put into contact with a future collaborator.

“The idea of initiating this causal inference consulting service is to make collaboration as easy as possible. For example, applied researchers may have research questions that could benefit from causal inference methods, but they may not be very familiar with these methods themselves”, Paweł explains. In such a situation, a single consultation could provide clarity, guidance – and maybe even a contact point for collaboration with someone who can help address exactly those questions.

“It may turn out that the question is not of causal nature, and that a causal inference framework is not the most suitable. Or, it may happen that the researcher is already on the right track and they just need confirmation whether their approach is sound, or a bit of guidance to move in one direction or another. A consultation session may also be more like brainstorm, where a researcher comes in with a research question, and together we explore which causal inference methods might be appropriate to address it”, Paweł says.

He makes sure to point out that he is not the only person at SMARTbiomed who could provide support. In addition to his own expertise, he has a good overview of who else within the center can assist with specific causal inference-related questions and can connect researchers with the right colleagues to ensure they receive the support they need.

“The idea is to make this kind of communication efficient. I have some overview of the expertise of different people working in causal inference within SMARTbiomed, and can help to identify who would be best suited to assist with a particular question,” he explains. The goal of the service is not to replace organic collaboration, but to facilitate connections and foster collaboration across groups and researchers.

His explanation of the idea behind the project - “Within SMARTbiomed, all researchers have their own focus and research agenda, but I believe it is also very important to leverage the network effect of such an institution like this. We should actively seek opportunities to collaborate with one another.” – is very much in the spirit of a Pioneer center, and the consultation service is one way we are hoping to embody that vision.