Ensure a productive and respectful collaboration by following these guidelines—from preparing for meetings and clear communication to valuing expertise and sharing research outcomes. Together, we can foster meaningful engagement and enhance the impact of research.
Before Meeting with Community Scientists
Submit a Request for Engagement
- All requests for engagement should go through program staff to ensure that Community Scientists’ time, expertise, and interests are fairly represented.
- Our program staff serve as liaisons to match projects with Community Scientists, coordinate schedules, and ensure that participation aligns with the goals of the program, project, and Community Scientist.
- This approach helps maintain equity in engagement and prevents individuals from feeling overburdened or contacted outside the scope of their interests.
Make a Timely Request
- To ensure a good match and allow time to gauge interest, please submit requests for Community Scientist engagement as early as possible. This helps program staff coordinate schedules and ensure a meaningful experience for everyone.
Prepare for Meeting with Our Community Scientists
To make the most of your time during your initial consultation with the Community Scientists:
- Be ready to introduce yourself and your study. Use plain language when explaining your research or project to ensure accessibility and understanding.
- Prepare a brief presentation outlining goals, specific aims, and methods. Limit your presentation time to 5-10 minutes.
- Clearly explain how Community Scientists will contribute to your study.
- Highlight your project’s community engagement strategies.
- Prepare at least two questions to guide the feedback/consultation discussion.
After Meeting with the Community Scientists
- Respond to the engagement survey sent by the program regarding your experience with Community Scientists.
- Recognize and incorporate the valuable insights and lived experiences of Community Scientists into your research approach and decision-making.
- Keep us informed about how Community Scientist input has influenced your research!
- Share any outcomes, presentations, publications, and other deliverables resulting from our collaboration.
By adhering to these best practices, we can cultivate meaningful partnerships that enhance the quality and relevance of research while respecting the valuable contributions of our Community Scientists.