Community Engagement and Collaboration

This session focuses on enhancing microbial research through closer collaborations with communities affected by public health and environmental issues. It emphasizes the importance of establishing long-term, mutual goals from the outset of research projects. Attendees will learn about community-centered collaboration approaches, how to leverage community professionals in a ‘train the trainer’ model, initiate ethical conversations around environmental samples, and foster partnerships with public health and policymakers. Featuring three 30-minute talks from researchers with successful community collaborations, this session offers practical insights for impactful, socially responsible research.