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. 2016 Nov;26(3):429-457.
doi: 10.1177/1048291116662680. Epub 2016 Aug 20.

Collaborating for Systems Change: A Social Science Framework for Academic Roles in Community Partnerships

Katrina Smith Korfmacher  1 , Kristianna Grass Pettibone  2 , Kathleen M Gray  3 , Ogonnaya Dotson Newman  4
Affiliations

Collaborating for Systems Change: A Social Science Framework for Academic Roles in Community Partnerships

Katrina Smith Korfmacher et al. New Solut. 2016 Nov.

Abstract

Environmental health researchers, government agencies, and community groups have endorsed long-term community-academic partnerships as an effective strategy to support science-based improvements in environmental health. Social sciences concepts, approaches, and methods are fundamental to these translational partnerships. However, appropriate roles for academic partners vary throughout the process of changing systems (policies, practices, programs, etc.). This can complicate planning, evaluating, and sustaining such partnerships. We set forth a conceptual framework for academic partners' roles at different stages of systems change. We apply this framework to three longstanding academic-community partnerships involving National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences Community Outreach and Engagement Cores. We conclude by discussing how the framework can help academic partners tap appropriate expertise, redefine their roles, and evaluate their contributions to community efforts to improve environmental health.

Keywords: community partnerships; environmental health; social science; systems change.

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Figure 1
A Framework for Academic Partners Supporting Community Change
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