Summer School 2027: Adaptive Platform Trials
An adaptive platform trial is a randomised trial design that compares at least one intervention to a control with the capacity to add and remove interventions over time according to rules defined in a master (or core) protocol. Platform trials can investigate multiple research questions under a shared trial infrastructure, leading to operational efficiencies and improved allocation of resources compared to conventional trial designs. However, this comes at a cost of increased complexity in the design, conduct and analysis.
In this two-day workshop, we provide an overview of adaptive platform trials, and outline and discuss the key practical and statistical issues with such designs.
Day 1 provides the background to and some examples of platform trials, before focusing on issues during the design of adaptive platform trials, including the types of research question, establishing the adaptations, databases, governance, documentation and applying for funding aimed at both a statistical and a clinical audience.
Day 2 focusses on the statistical issues of simulation for sample size and design, randomisation, the statistical documentation, analyses planning, and the role of the Data Safety Monitoring Committee aimed at a statistical audience.
Requirements: The workshop can be attended as a 1 or 2-day workshop, with both days consisting of a combination of lectures and practicals focussed around designing and navigating a trial. Participants should have a working knowledge of randomised trials to attend this workshop, with knowledge of platform trials required for Day 2.
Dates:
Wednesday 17 & Thursday 18 February 2027
Location:
The University of Melbourne
Venue location to be advised.
While in-person attendance is highly recommended, this course is also accessible remotely via Zoom.
Registration:
Registration will open soon and will close one week prior (11 February 2027) unless sold out.
Early-bird rates (a 10% discount on the below listed prices) are available until 30 September 2026.
Registration pricing:
|
1-day (Wed 17 only) |
Standard |
$570 |
|
Student |
$410 |
|
|
2-day |
Standard |
$1,070 |
|
Student |
$780 |
Cancellation policy:
If you are no longer able to attend, please notify us at your earliest convenience.
Ticket changes and refunds may be requested up to Friday, 29 January 2027 by writing to .




