Beyond Academic Walls: Community-engaged Research, Implementation, and Evaluation 

In collaboration with key community partners, the Center for Thriving Communities will highlight funded community-engaged research and evaluation projects. Panelists will discuss effective community engagement approaches and common challenges that arise in academic–community partnerships. Additionally, panelists will consider key areas for improvement to advance these collaborations. Participants will gain knowledge of community engagement with best practices for research and evaluation and leave with practical tools to navigate such partnerships in order to conduct meaningful and translatable research.

Moderator:

• Jade Hollars – MPH, Evaluation Coordinator UNC Center for Thriving Communities, Abacus Evaluation

Panelists:

• Tara Carr PhD, MPH – Senior Research Program Manager, UNC Center for Thriving Communities, Abacus Evaluation
• Lily Nava – Community Advisory Board Member, Chatham County
• Michelle Carmichael – Community Advisory Board Member, Forsyth County
• Kennedy Bridges, MSW, MPH, IBCLC – Senior Project Manager, UNC Maternal Fetal Medicine
• Joy McNeal, MPH- Implementation & Engagement Coordinator, UNC Maternal Fetal Medicine
• Shannon Alley – Local Health Department Champion, Alamance County
• Jessica Barnhill, MD, MPH – Academic co-lead, UNC Integrative Medicine Clinic