Advancing Community-Academic Partnerships for Translational Research

Developing novel methods for engaging citizen scientists and scientist citizens

Full Project Name:Advancing Community-Academic Partnerships for Translational Research: Scientific Citizens and Citizen ScientistsPrincipal Investigator:Syed M. Ahmed, MD, MPH, DrPH, Family MedicineCo-Investigator:David Nelson, PhD, Family and Community MedicineAward Amount:$1,659,180.00

Award Date

January2011

Project Duration:66 months

Project Description Narrative:

Translational research is the "effective translation of new knowledge, mechanisms, and techniques generated by advances in basic science research into new approaches for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease essential for improving health." Promoting clinical and translational research ensures new treatements and therapies are introduced to reduce disease and mortality for the people of Wisconsin to address the state's leading health risks.

Established in 2007, the Clinical and Translational Science Institute of Southeast Wisconsin aims to advance translational research in the region through collaboration with several inter-institutional partners. To ensure meaningful and productive community engagement and training in clinical and translational research for both researchers and community partners, this funding award aims to support a community engagement program that will develop novel methods to engage scientific citizens and citizen scientists alike.

Outcomes & Lessons Learned:

Developed and launched community outreach programming in the form of a Science Cafe, holding 36 events that engaged the community in discussions about health and science issues in an informal and interactive setting
Devleoped a novel method to measure science and health literacy in the general public for these events. Provided consult to Mayo Clinic, University of California-Davis, Hunter College of the City University of New York for adoption of educational programs based on the Science Cafe program
Developed a graduate course titled Principles of Community Engagement to provide a foundational understanding of issues that relate to working in partnershp with the community on health, science, and medical research projects and program development
Established a Community Engagment Learning Repository to serve as a library of community engagement resources, such as educational materials for training and learning, to further the work of Community Engagement in Research (CEnR)
Hosted eight conferences and workshops addressing local, national, and international health topics, including Community Engagement Week, which has now become an annual event for community representatives, faculty, staff, and students to learn, develop collaborations, and expand their knowledge of community engagement
Disseminated impact of programs developed through numerous published manuscripts