Ambassadors for Community Health Research
Research benefits everyone. Research helps us figure out what works best and how we can improve lives.
When community members get involved and engage as part of the research team, they help influence what research is funded and conducted, how it’s done, and how the findings are shared and applied within the community for practical use and positive impact.
Community members chosen as Ambassadors for Community Health Research (ACHRs) will receive training and education to better understand clinical and community research, basics of human subjects research, and community-engaged research approaches. No prior education is required - just a desire to learn, grow, and support your community.
Ambassadors will then be matched with investigators interested in working closely with communities to implement community-engaged solutions.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand what it means to do research in communities.
- Learn ways to do research including traditional, clinical, and community-engaged research.
- Recognize the different roles of partnerships in community research.
- Create research and evaluation questions of importance to you as a community member.
- Learn how a research study has been or could be conducted in your community.
- Identify local tools available to support community research partners.
- Brainstorm ways to communicate research activities to your community and other research partners.
Frequently Asked Questions:
- How will I benefit from the ACHR program? Ambassadors will complete the program equipped with new knowledge, skills, and connections that can benefit them, their work, and their community.
- Who should apply? Any passionate and engaged community member with a desire to learn, grow, and better yourself and your community should apply. No prior education or training is required.
- How can I contribute as an Ambassador? Ambassadors help by using their unique interests, knowledge, and skills. Group brainstorming as part of the research team will help create opportunities for Ambassador projects.
- Approximately how much time will I spend on the program? We estimate that ambassadors will spend about 1.5 hours per week working online over an 11-month period. Ambassadors will also have in-person training and event opportunities.
- Will I be paid? Ambassadors will receive $1,000* for completing the ACHR program. *Specific requirements must be met by the ambassador and approved by a qualified program administrator.
- When are applications due? Applications for the first cohort are due by Monday, August 14, and reviewed on a rolling basis, but you can still apply after the deadline to be considered for future opportunities.
Projected Timeline:
- July 2023 – Accepting applications
- September 1st, 2023 – First ambassador cohort announced
- September 2023– Ambassador training begins
- July 2024 – Ambassador training concludes
Contact Us:
If you or someone you know would like to get involved in the ACHR Program or need additional information, please email Bree Gustke.
ACHR Team:
Bree Gustke, WVCTSI Community Engagement & Research Coordinator
Brianna Sheppard, PhD, MA, Co-Director, WVCTSI Community Engagement and Outreach Core; Associate Director, Rural Health Workforce and Center Development, National Center for Rural Health Professions
Stacey Whanger, MPH - Director, Implementation Research, WVCTSI