UK ASCEND (Achieving Success in Community-Engaged research to elimiNate Disparities)

University Of Kentucky, Lexington KY

Investigators

Linked publications, trials & patents

Abstract

Modified Project Summary/Abstract Section ABSTRACT The Administrative Core of University of Kentucky (UK) ASCEND (Achieving Success in Community-Engaged research to elimiNate Disparities) provides strategic leadership for program oversight, management, and evaluation of the proposed activities. The Core also provides governance, cross-core collaboration and communication, fiscal management, and institutional coordination to achieve our objective of achieving healthier lives by promoting community-engaged research (CER) success among early stage investigators (ESIs) through the ASCEND Scholars Program (ASP) which consists of two linked opportunities: (1) the CER Training Program and (2) the CER Pilot Program with bi-directional engagement of community stakeholders through a Community Advisory Board (CAB). Motivated by the health challenges experience by populations living in Kentucky - a state ranked among the worst in overall health- the UK ASCEND Administrative Core will provide scientific and strategic direction and oversight. This Core is led by two Co-Directors who are also multiple principal investigators who have successfully collaborated on grant applications and leadership initiatives. Housed in the Center for Health, Engagement and Transformation (CHET) and in collaboration with the UK Center for Clinical and Translational Research (CCTS) and other institutional strengths, we will embed ESIs within the rich research environments of institutionally designated Research Priority Areas, cancer, neurological disorders, substance use disorders, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes/obesity. The Administrative Core aims to: (1) Provide scientific leadership and governance, fiscal and regulatory management, effective communication strategies, and cross-sector collaboration for all programmatic activities, consistent with NIH protocols and optimal community partnerships and (2) Continuously examine UK ASCEND's performance and progress through the systematic deployment of formative and summative evaluation approaches using optimal measures, evaluation science standards, and community engagement principles. Our three primary outcomes include: ESI CER career development, community engagement, and ESI research success. The Administrative Core will serve as the nexus for all UK ASCEND communication, meetings, fiscal management, regulatory activities, interactions with the NIH, and evaluation activities, ever mindful of our key objective-- to promote health by attaining success in community-engaged health research.