Climate, Environment and Health for the Americas - Mobilizing transdisciplinary knowledge and training for policy action
List of Information for Expressions of Interest
Link to form for Expressions of Interest
Call for Climate, Environment and Health Responders in the Americas
Mobilizing transdisciplinary knowledge and training for policy action
Introduction:
The region of the Americas needs to strengthen the capacity of public sector actors to address and adapt to environmental determinants of health (EDHs), prioritizing populations living in conditions of vulnerability. An integrated and evidence-informed approach within the health sector and in partnership with other key sectors such as climate, environment, and disaster risk management, is essential to addressing and adapting to the challenges of EDHs in the Region. Implementation of solutions must be context-specific, based on the needs and realities of countries, and should encourage coordination, leadership, and communication.
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A transdisciplinary (TD) approach expects stakeholders, including decision- and policy-makers, implementers, communities affected by policies, and practitioners, to work together with researchers in collaborative and iterative co-development processes at the interface of science and policy. TD research projects are problem-driven and solution-oriented, integrating knowledge, tools, and ways of thinking from multiple disciplines and actors from the public and private sectors. Stakeholders are included from the initial project framing stage and throughout the project life cycle in an equitable and ethical co-creation process.
Science-policy projects at the nexus of Climate, Environment and Health (CEH) can have broad societal framework and measurable societal benefits; their focus can range from vulnerability and resilience to reduce the risks of natural and anthropogenic hazards, to pollution, food/water security and quality, chronic and emergent diseases related to global change, and adaptation and mitigation actions in different socio-economic and environmental sectors to improve wellbeing (https://www.iai.int/pdf/en/Strategicplan-en.pdf).
Main Objective:
This training initiative aims to enhance the capacity of professionals and institutions across the Americas to address challenges at the intersection of climate, environment and health through a transdisciplinary approach. Participants will develop skills in communication and engagement with diverse stakeholders, with a focus on the science-policy interface and the genuine participation of communities. The overarching goal is to contribute to the development and implementation of more effective public policies that address the most critical national, regional and global public health priorities.
IMPORTANT NOTE: It is expected that participants already have foundational knowledge about the CEH nexus, such as the content presented in the Climate & Health Responders Course Lectures (in Spanish and English) and course materials (in Spanish or English) are available here for free: https://www.publichealth.columbia.edu/research/global-consortium-climate-and-health-education/climate-and-health-responder-course-latin-america).
Phase 1: Virtual 7-week Mentorship and Training for TD Teams
Week 1:
TD Session 1: Introducing Transdisciplinary Research Approaches
Tuesday, 20 September (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30 pm UYT
Master Class 1: Challenges of and solutions for science communication
Thursday, 22 September (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30 pm UYT
Week 1 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings
Week 2:
TD Session 2: Doing Transdisciplinary Research
Tuesday, 27 September (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Workshop 2: Quick guide to writing for a broad audience
Thursday, 29 September (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Week 2 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings
Week 3:
TD Session 3: Small group meetings
Tuesday, 4 October (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Master class 3: Small group meetings
Thursday, 6 October (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Week 3 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings
Week 4
TD Session 4: Designing & Implementing Transdisciplinary Research Approaches
Tuesday, 11 October (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Workshop 4: Telling stories through data
Thursday, 13 October (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Week 4 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings
Week 5:
TD Session 5: Managing Transdisciplinary Teamwork
Tuesday, 18 October (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Workshop 5: How to explain science to a broad audience
Tuesday, 29 October (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Week 5 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings
Week 6:
TD Session 6: Small group meetings
Tuesday, 25 October (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Workshop 6: Small group meetings
Tuesday, 27 october (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Week 6 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings
Week 7:
TD Session 7: Transdisciplinary Grant Writing, Assessment & Evaluation
Tuesday, 1 November (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Workshop 7: How is a public policy designed and how can I become a better advocate?
Thursday, 3 November (90 minutes), 11:00 -12:30pm UYT
Week 7 Learning Objectives & Assigned Readings
Phase 2: In-person regional grant development workshop
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Dates of the in-person workshop: TBD
Location: TBD
Format:
Prior to the in-person workshop
- Selected teams will continue to work to improve their proposals with support from mentors
- Teams will engage virtually using the Climate & Health Science to Practice Network
During the in-person workshop
- In-person sessions with a hybrid modality and field visits (TBD)
- Daily lectures from TD and CEH experts
- Mentorship/advisory sessions to get feedback on proposal development
- Time for teamwork to develop proposals
Proposal Selection: Pre-proposals submitted at the end of Phase 1 will be evaluated by a committee and the best proposals will be selected to continue to Phase 2. Individuals from selected teams will be invited to participate in a week-long in-person regional training workshop.
Phase 3: Seed grants with co-funding
Date: Early 2023
Following completion of Phase 2, teams will be eligible for two streams of seed grant funding:
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Funding to support teams to continue to develop a grant submission for a larger funding mechanism (6-month period) such as the Belmont Forum or other.
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Funding to conduct a pilot TD CEH study with emphasis on co-creation processes and science-policy engagement, over 12 to 18 months.
Seed Grant Funding: Following completion of Phase 2, TD teams will present a final proposal for seed grant funding. The team lead should have the ability to receive and manage international research funds, including sub-awards to institutions in other countries. Teams that are awarded seed grants will continue to engage with TD mentors over the course of the grant, and be expected to share with other groups the training that they have received.
Contact e-mail: iai_science@dir.iai.int
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