Core C: Communication and Dissemination Core

Ohio State University, Columbus OH

Investigators

Abstract

CAF COMMUNICATION AND DISSEMINATION CORE: REVISED PROJECT SUMMARY The Communication and Dissemination Core is integral to the success of the Center for Aging Families (CAF) because it will provide the infrastructure for sustained engagement of varied audiences, ranging from scholars to policymakers, journalists, and members of the public. Guided by a multi-faceted Communication and Dissemination Plan, this Core will heighten the impact of CAF scholarship and widen the reach of CAF activities and achievements, centering CAF in the ongoing national discourse about the challenges and opportunities surrounding family change, aging, and population health. With the overarching goal of sharing CAF research advances, activities, and achievements to the fullest extent possible, the Core will leverage several communication and dissemination tools and host various events. The communication tools include a fresh, dynamic CAF website designed for ease of navigation; publications, presentations, grants, and pilot data spanning the three CAF research themes; original research briefs, CAF Fast Facts, that are written for a general audience and convey the latest trends in the changing demography of aging families; regular newsletters designed to reach varied audiences; a strong presence on social media to communicate with other scholars as well as journalists; and media outreach coordinated with our university marketing offices to position CAF and its affiliates as leading sources for national media coverage dovetailing with the three CAF research themes on aging families (the demography of aging families, aging family health, and health disparities in aging families). All of these tools will be united by consistent branding to maximize our visibility and reach varied audiences, ensuring CAF is easily recognizable. Additionally, the Core will facilitate collaboration across affiliates by sponsoring a seminar series, annual conference, and an exhibit booth at the annual meeting of the Population Association of America. The Core team will regularly evaluate and refine their outreach, producing annual strategic dissemination plans that include assessments of performance to date and recommendations for modifications or new approaches as warranted. In collaboration with the Administrative and Research Support Core, the Communication and Dissemination Core also will produce semi-annual reports of relevant tracking criteria to share with the Coordinating Center and NIA staff. The Communication and Dissemination Core Lead is MPI S. Brown. The Core is key to the success of CAF’s mission to communicate and disseminate Center activities and achievements as widely as possible, reaching both scholarly and lay audiences alike to ensure the innovative science performed by CAF affiliates has maximum impact.