Health Equity Scholars Program 2021

With the rising need of evidence based policy to inform and help create holistically healthy communities, there is a strong demand for health equity scholars’ expertise and community specific perspectives. To meet this moment, the Health Equity Scholars Program has recruited a cohort of early-career scholars based on recommendations from established senior researchers in the health equity field. These cohort members, who hail from across the country, are conducting important research that seeks to improve the wellbeing of their communities and have a strong desire to translate their findings for public policy audiences.

Our program is designed to share insights and strategies for conducting and disseminating rigorous and actionable research on public health. The program includes a mid-year convening, group activities, and one-on-one support that aims to equip cohort members with the tools and skills to share their findings with policy stakeholders, develop professionally, and build critical relationships with their peers. 

Through our trainings and one-on-one coaching sessions, cohort members in the Health Equity Scholars Program will have the tools to:

• Successfully communicate research findings to audiences outside of academia
• Identify, engage, and build relationships with target policymakers and community organizations to improve the likelihood that research is used in the policy process
• Communicate research findings through the media
• Incorporate a community-centered and equity-focused approach to their research
• Develop strategies for successful grant applications
• Balance professional development goals with time spent on public engagement