Research is very important to understand behaviors, diseases, barriers and identify opportunities to improve the health and wellbeing of communities. At the VCU Health Hub at 25th, we support research that addresses the social, cultural, and systemic barriers that make it difficult for many communities to be as healthy as possible. We support research that values community voice and input and focuses on the strengths of a community.
Inquire about conducting research at the VCU Health Hub at 25th
Research process
VCU Health Hub at 25th Research Process:
- Establish interest: You want to conduct research for your study at or with the VCU Health Hub at 25th.
- Alignment: Are you committed to building a bridge between research and the community, providing some immediate benefit in education, resources or referrals about your research issues?
- Learn: Sign up to present an introduction to research at the VCU Health Hub at 25th. You will provide a short overview of your research to be shared at the introduction session. Session details and format will be provided.
Not far enough along in the research process or feel the VCU Health Hub at 25th may not be the best fit? Thank you for your interest, and please consider us for future research studies or further along in your research process.
If you’re still interested… - Complete research interest form: Complete inquiry form through Google Forms. A link will be provided following the conclusion of the introduction session.
- Sign MOU: Complete a memorandum of understanding with the VCU Health Hub at 25th.
- Conduct research: Implement the approved research study at the VCU Health Hub at 25th.
- Dissemination: Return for a data dissemination community meeting.
- Educational session program: Consider providing an educational session specific to your research topic.
Reducing health disparities
We support research that actively addresses how to reduce health disparities so that everyone has a chance to have the opportunity to live a life that is free from the unnecessary and unjust burden of disease, violence, injury, or lack of options simply based on where they live, work, economic situation or their race and ethnicity.
Research transparency
Researchers will be expected to return to a community meeting to present their main results, and we hope you will join us at such events. At such meetings, you will be able to learn how your participation made a difference, and you will have the opportunity to ask the researcher about their next steps and plans in the community.
Community engagement
The community will have various opportunities to participate in cutting-edge research that will focus on many different topics of importance to the East End community. However, your participation is always your choice, your decision. You should never feel that you have to participate in any research. Before you participate in any research, feel free to ask any questions to ensure that it is what you want to do. Sometimes researchers offer a small stipend as a thank you, and other times, researchers do not have the funds to provide a stipend. Again, it is your choice to participate or not.
Relevance
We want to conduct research relevant to the community and make a difference. Feel free to ask any questions about research, and most importantly, feel free to tell us what you would like to have researched. Your voice is essential, and we genuinely value your input. Please remember, research is a long process with various steps. Understandably, communities are often frustrated that they do not see the results of research. Therefore, at the health hub, researchers will be asked to share their results, discuss their next steps with the community, and offer educational programming in that area.
Our approach to research at the VCU Health Hub at 25th is as a long-term partnership with the East End community and, most importantly, making sure we address the community's needs.