Core C - Communication and Dissemination Core

Univ Of Maryland, College Park, College Park MD

Investigators

Abstract

REVISED PROJECT SUMMARY – COMMUNICATIONS AND DISSEMINATION CORE (CORE C) The Communication and Dissemination Core (C&DC) of the Southern Population Aging Research Center (SPARC) facilitates the sharing of SPARC’s scientific activities and findings with broad audiences, including researchers across disciplines and career stages, policymakers, community organizations, and the public. By focusing on SPARC’s four thematic areas—geographic differences; social, economic, and environmental determinants; health disparities; and life course pathways—the C&DC addresses dissemination gaps that hinder the translation of research into actionable policies and programs, particularly in the U.S. South. The C&DC’s objectives will be achieved through three aims: 1) Develop and maintain a website, social media accounts, newsletter, and listserv to publicly share SPARC’s goals, research, and progress, starting in Year 1; 2) Coordinate the dissemination of SPARC-developed resources and events to affiliates, stakeholders, and the broader public through targeted platforms and partnerships; and 3) Develop partnerships, materials, and strategies to communicate SPARC’s research findings and foster meaningful engagement with multiple stakeholders. The website will serve as a hub for SPARC’s mission and provide research updates and funding opportunities. Newsletters, a listserv, and social media accounts will highlight SPARC’s activities and achievements, including affiliate research, webinars, and training materials. The C&DC will establish a Community and Policy Advisory Panel (CPAP), composed of policymakers, journalists, and community leaders from the U.S. South, to guide dissemination strategies. CPAP members will help tailor materials—such as policy briefs, infographics, and legislative summaries—to stakeholder needs and distribute them through targeted networks. Collaboration with CPAP and partner organizations will enhance the C&DC’s reach, allowing SPARC to foster strategic connections with groups like the Scholars Strategy Network of Alabama, the Deep South Resource Center for Minority Aging Research, and national organizations such as the Population Association of America. By disseminating recorded webinars, grant development workshops, and other resources, the C&DC supports accessibility and compliance with NIH Data Management and Sharing Policies. Through strategic partnerships, targeted communication strategies, and a commitment to broadening access, the C&DC expands SPARC’s impact by informing evidence-based policies and programs that address health disparities and aging-related challenges. These efforts advance SPARC’s mission by fostering informed policy and community responses to improve population aging outcomes regionally, nationally, and globally.