New Grant-Funded Course Aims to Advance Research Education in Behavioral and Social Sciences
January 22, 2024
Northwestern’s Feinberg School of Medicine has launched a groundbreaking educational initiative, "Community Engagement: A Short Course to Optimize Research Endeavors" (CE-SCORE), aimed at transforming the landscape of behavioral and social science research (BSSR).
The new course is designed to enhance the knowledge and skills of contemporary behavioral and social science researchers and students working in community-engaged research.
Funded by the National Institute on Drug Abuse, the course works to address the historical challenges in BSSR, particularly the underutilization and top-down implementation of Community Engaged Research (CER). Traditional approaches often overlook the invaluable input and consent of community members, leading to persistent disconnect and mistrust, especially in marginalized communities. This course marks a significant shift towards a more inclusive, collaborative research paradigm.
“CE-SCORE is not just an educational program; it's a movement towards creating a more just and equitable world through research,” said Gregory Phillips II, PhD, associate professor of medical social sciences and member of the Institute for Public Health and Medicine’s (IPHAM) Center for Community Health.
The project, which is also led by Leah C. Neubauer, EdD, MA, CPH, associate professor of preventive medicine and member of IPHAM’s Center for Education in Health Sciences, will be supported by fellow faculty across Feinberg, including the Northwestern University Clinical and Translational Sciences Institute, the Center for Community Health, the Alliance for Research in Chicagoland Communities, the Institute for Sexual and Gender Minority Health and Wellbeing, and the departments of Medical Social Sciences and Preventive Medicine. In addition, leaders from grassroots, community-based organizations and other non-profit organizations will also join faculty to co-lead lectures.
“While some institutions are beginning to incorporate community engagement and health equity into their curricula, CE-SCORE stands out by offering a dedicated space for shared peer learning, critical self-reflection, mentorship, and practice,” said Neubauer. “This initiative promises to bridge the gap between theory and practice, ensuring that the next generation of BSSR professionals is well-equipped to conduct research that truly benefits the communities they serve.
The course curriculum is rooted in the principles of critical adult education, which couples traditional knowledge, skill-building, and real-world application with the critical analysis of power relations and ideologies in the research process. This approach aligns with the core values of CER — community empowerment, social justice, and social change.
Participants in CE-SCORE, including emerging and current public health scholars, students, and practitioners, will gain hands-on experience in applying CER principles in real-world settings. The course is designed to engage and empower learners to reflect on their current practices and learn how to enact CER values effectively, thereby transforming their research impact and building trust within communities.
For more information about CE-SCORE and enrollment details, please contact Drs. Phillips (glp2 [at] northwestern [dot] edu) or Neubauer (leah [dot] neubauer [at] northwestern [dot] edu.)