Community Engagement Toolkit
How do you want to engage the community and patients in your research?
In this Community Engagement Toolkit you will find evidence-based approaches, services and resources to support you in engaging patients and community across all phases of research (design, implementation/ recruitment, dissemination).
Scroll to explore the types of support we offer, learn what's provided by CORE, what your role would be, and see an estimate of the time that is needed.
Not sure how you'd like to engage patients, community members or partners in your project?
Request a consult or contact us and we can discuss the level and type of involvement that works for you.
Gathering input from a community
Listening Sessions
A community engaged approach that includes a 1-2 hour interactive session with a community group. This session is to gather information and explore topics with a community organization or population of interest.
Support provided by CORE:
- Arrange for 3-12 individuals from a community group or organization to discuss your project or idea
- Provide input on community-friendly materials for session
- Lead or co-lead the conversation/discussion
- Notes from session
Expectations of the researcher(s):
- Meet with CORE to develop goals and materials
- Choose whether you will attend the 1-2 hour listening session
- 3-4 hours of your time in total
Community Engagement Studios (CES)
An evidence-based approach (Joosten et al, 2015, 2018) that includes a facilitated 2-hour interactive discussion(s) with your population of interest. This structured session gathers specific input/feedback on your study or idea and incorporates community perspectives to inform and enhance your funding proposal or active study.
Support provided by CORE:
- Identify and orient 8-10 participants with characteristics defined by you (e.g., specific demographics, health conditions, urban/rural, caregivers)
- Co-develop community-friendly materials and questions
- Trained facilitator leads the session
- Summary feedback report with recommendations and debrief
Expectations of the researcher(s):
- Meet with CORE to define goals, population of interest, materials, and review summary report
- Attend the 2-hour CES with facilitator, present for 10 minutes and respond to questions during the discussion
- 6-8 hours of your time in total
Knight Scientific Research Advocates
A consultative session(s) with a cancer advocate that has experience working with research teams. The primary role of an Advocate is to represent the collective patient perspective, or the disease experiences of many patients in the research process.
Support provided by CORE:
- Identify appropriate Advocate(s) for your needs
- Provide an introduction between the researcher and the Advocate
- Advocates can provide input on projects ad hoc or ongoing
Expectations of the researcher(s):
- Convene an introductory meeting
- Engage your Advocate at any stage of your research
- Share proposed drafts and/or other materials in advance
- Seek feedback
- Request a letter of support, lay abstract review, or other related evaluation from the Advocate (optional)
- 2-8 hours of your time in total