The Institute of Gerontology 2024 Colloquium Series is pleased to present:

Dynamics of Successful Partnerships and Strategies for Centering Older People in Research Across the Community Engagement Continuum

Speakers:
Carrie Leach, PhD
Research Assistant Professor, Institute of Gerontology; Co-Director of Community Engagement, CURES; Associate Center Director of Community Inclusion, CHECK-UP

and

Dell Stubblefield
Community Engagement Specialist, HOPE Village Revitalization

ABSTRACT
There is a stark gap in the literature on the meaningful engagement of older people in research and even fewer reports about their experiences of being involved in the research process. This presentation will offer insight about the dynamics that contribute to successful collaborations with older people, in their own words. Dr. Carrie Leach will share tools and resources to help build the capacity of others to engage community experts in research across the community engagement continuum. She and long-time collaborator, Ms. Dell Stubblefield, will report on their experiences of consultation, collaboration, and partnership in a variety of research and advocacy projects over the last decade and discuss the unexpected and mutually beneficial outcomes of their work together. Dr. Leach will report findings from a reflective process evaluation with older adults who she partnered with to conduct a community-based participatory research (CBPR) project to highlight the most salient elements that contributed to the successful and sustained partnership that unfolded over seven years. In addition to describing the dynamics that her partners discerned as important indicators that influenced their  research design and outcomes, she will share lessons learned including the importance of investing time in people as well as the relationship, practicing inclusive communication, honoring participation preferences, and anticipating change. Carrie aims to provide insight that can be leveraged by others so they are prepared to engage older people in their research at any stage, and Dell hopes to inspire more older resident-researcher connections, as stated in her own words, “My experience has been one that I wish for many seniors.”

BIOS

Carrie Leach is a Research Assistant Professor at the Institute of Gerontology, Co-Director of the Community Engagement Core at the Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES) and Associate Center Director for Community Inclusion at the Center for Health Equity and Community Knowledge in Urban Populations (CHECK-UP) at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. She holds a Master of Public Administration, and PhD in health communication, and extensive experience in community engaged and community-based participatory research processes and is passionate about co-conducting research with older people so that the findings can be used to their benefit. Her research aims are focused on addressing health disparities by developing community-driven solutions derived from participatory processes to improve the flow of and access to health protecting information for older adults. Since the pandemic, she has turned her attention to digital exclusion that exacerbates already poor health outcomes of Detroit’s oldest residents, and impedes connection to vital resources, such as social and worship services and telehealth. She has co-authored peer-reviewed journal articles and presentations with her community partners on topics related to academic-community partnerships, science communication, communication infrastructure dynamics of hard-to-reach older adults, and environmental health, advocacy, and stewardship. Her efforts are inspired by her north star: to foster university in-reach so that it is a resource for improved decision making by and for Detroit residents and older people near and far.

Dell Stubblefield is a lifelong resident of Detroit and currently holds a role as a Community Engagement Specialist with HOPE Village Revitalization, a Community Development Corporation, with a 100% community-controlled board. As a part of her work, she is actively involved in efforts to bring the neighborhood together, and to move the community forward, while helping the residents develop a sense of empowerment. Dell is active with the Hope Village Farmer's Market, Citizenship for Health, and was recently recognized for her community health and advocacy work by the Hannan Center who granted her the “Civic & Community Leadership” 70 over 70 award in 2022. She is a collaborator on several projects across Wayne State University’s campus including being a long-time member of the Community Advisory Board at the Center for Urban Responses to Environmental Stressors (CURES), a position she has held since 2014. She has received training as a Community Health Scholar, is a member of the Aging Research Council at the Institute of Gerontology, and a collaborator on a project to address digital exclusion in Detroit, among others. To learn more about Dell, see her feature in Today@Wayne: “A Warrior at Heart: Detroit activist partners with the School of Social Work researchers for community good.”

For more information contact, Dr. Tam Perry at teperry@wayne.edu. 

SAVE THE DATE
Winter 2024 Lifespan Alliance Day will be held on April 5, 2024. This annual event showcases Institute of Gerontology & Merrill Palmer Skillman Institute trainee research.