Interested in engaged research traditions? These sessions featuring examples from the health sciences will offer insights into ethics, equity, and action applicable to all projects:
Insights and Innovations from Health Sciences
Plenary Symposium [Wednesday, May 27, 12:00 PM]
This symposium will explore how environmental, public, biomedical, and behavioral health sciences can strengthen participatory science through engaged research traditions that are ethical, equitable, actionable, and community-centered. Drawing on their leadership in environmental health, translational research, public health surveillance, wastewater monitoring, climate and health equity, and community-engaged environmental technologies, Drs. Smith and Malecki will share insights from research and practice at the intersection of science, policy, technology, and community partnership. Together, their work highlights how health sciences can advance participatory approaches that respond to complex real-world challenges and support healthier, more equitable communities.
Presenters: Kristen Malecki (University of Chicago School of Public Health); Matt Mehalik (Breathe Project); Ted Smith (University of Louisville)
Engaged Research Strategies from the Health Sciences
Organized Topical Discussion Session [Friday, May 29, 2:30 PM; second session to be added if contributions warrant]
Health sciences (environmental, public, biomedical, behavioral) offer a depth of insight into engaged research traditions and strategies for addressing the ethical, equitable, and actionable dimensions of practice. They are also at the forefront of exploring implications and use of new technologies. Talks in this session will highlight applications of engaged research practices in the health sciences.
Convener: Lauren Anderson, University of Louisville
>>View talks in this session here
Community-Engaged Air Monitoring in Three Environmental Justice Communities
[Wednesday, May 27, 2:30 PM]
This session will focus on three community-driven air quality monitoring partnerships in Prince George’s County (MD), South Ward Newark (NJ), and South Memphis (TN). Using a suite of low-cost sensors (PurpleAir, Modulair, C-12), community scientists collect and use data to understand their environmental riskscape and air pollution exposure realities, and advocate for cleaner air and environmental justice to reduce health risks.
Convener: Vivek Ravichandran (Center for Engagement, Environmental Justice, and Health INpowering Communities (CEEJH INC))
Facilitating Co-Design through Feedback Loops [withdrawn]
[Wednesday, May 27, 2:30 PM]
This session showcases cyclical mechanisms called feedback loops for cross-sector partnerships to receive, implement, and report on feedback to create a generative knowledge-making system. Feedback loops are tools to disrupt dominant processes for meaning and knowledge making and enact diverse ways of knowing and being. Attendees can expect to gain tangible strategies to enact feedback loops in their unique cross-sector partnerships.
Convener/presenter: Charisse Iglesias (Community-Campus Partnerships for Health)
Session 5: Public Health & Lived Experience
Topical Discussion Session [Wednesday, May 27, 4-5pm EDT]
>>View talks in this session here
Registration for CAPS 2026. >>Find full event details here.
