Through participatory programs and state-wide partnerships, the Ohio State CTSA hub is transforming how communities engage, contribute and benefit from research and scientific discovery.
The Ohio State CTSI developed the Community Scientist Academy (CSA) for community members from all backgrounds to learn how research works and how they can actively participate in the research process. The CSA demystifies science and research for community participants, fostering an environment where lived experiences and local knowledge are as valuable as academic credentials. This five-week program includes weekly 90-minute sessions that cover various stages of the research process, such as study design, IRB submission, funding and dissemination, and features guest researchers who highlight ways to engage with communities in research. CSA graduates are awarded a certificate upon completion and often go on to join research advisory boards, serve as community reviewers or consultants, playing vital roles in shaping research priorities that matter most to their communities.
Building on the CSA program, the Academy of Community Reviewers (ACR) is a two-part workshop designed to prepare community members to critically assess and score research proposals based on the NIH review criteria. The ACR equips participants with the tools and confidence to evaluate research through a community focused lens, and community reviewers are active participants in the grant review process for CTSI pilot projects.
Another way Ohio State’s CTSI empowers community voices in clinical and translational research is through impactful relationships with rural and regional partners, specifically the Appalachian Translational Research Network (ATRN), a collaborative network that supports improving health outcomes and research capacity in the Appalachian region. Through the ATRN, academic and community partners co-develop research projects that address the unique health challenges facing Appalachian populations, ensuring that research is both place-based and action-oriented.
In addition to these localized initiatives, the Ohio State CTSI collaborates with state-wide networks to help create a healthier future for all Ohioans. These collaborations include the Ohio Primary Care Innovation Network (OPCIN), which connects Federally Qualified Health Centers across the state to accelerate community driven research through established clinical trials infrastructure; and the Healthy State Alliance, a strategic partnership between The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center and Bon Secours Mercy Health that is focused on improving health by tackling Ohio’s most critical health needs, including conducting research at Bon Secours Mercy Health community hospitals.
By integrating community voices and building partnerships across Ohio, Ohio State’s CTSA hub fosters bi-directional engagement that shapes a clinical and translational research system that reflects the unique needs and priorities of the communities it serves. Together, these community efforts and collaborative partnerships support the Ohio State CTSI’s vision of advancing discoveries to improve health for all.
Julie Johnson, PharmD, is the Director and Principal Investigator at The Ohio State University Clinical and Translational Science Institute.