Community Engagement and Research (CEAR)

Mission:

The purpose of the Community Engagement and Research Core in the Penn CTSA is to facilitate community-based research and community engagement, especially community-based participatory research, and enhance the translation of research and technological developments to key public health and community stakeholders.

Goals:

1. Foster community-based participatory research projects through developing training programs and integrating lectures into existing academic programs
2. Determine community health needs and priorities
3. Promote community-engaged research within the area of health disparities through seminar series
4. Continue the involvement in community outreach and education events to engage the community
5. Fund the conduct of CEAR Core pilot studies
6. Facilitate the use of academic-community partnerships to aid in the recruitment of subjects

Services:

The Community Engagement Research Core offers consultation on community engagement, training in participatory research methods, and assistance with the development, implementation, and evaluation of community translation activities.

Resources:

1. Needs assessment data
2. Inventory of community groups and faculty involved in community-based participatory research
3. Inventory of recruitment registries and recruitment services

Funding Opportunities:

The Community Engagement and Research (CEAR) Core awards up to two pilot grants every year, funding research initiatives that foster community engaged research, especially studies that use a participatory framework. This includes research in community settings or using a participatory research framework with active involvement of community stakeholders. "Community" is defined broadly to include populations in neighborhoods and organizations, including health care settings.

Contact:

To access these services or for additional information, please send an e-mail to: chbrinfo@zimbra.upenn.edu. You may also contact our Core Director:

Karen Glanz, Ph.D., M.P.H.
George A. Weiss Professor
Perelman School of Medicine and School of Nursing
kglanz@upenn.edu

The Community Engagement and Research Core is managed by the Center for Health Behavior Research (CHBR).