Program overview

Community and Researcher Engagement (CaRE) program overview

The Monash University School of Translational Medicine (STM) Community and Researcher Engagement (CaRE) program has adopted four engagement approaches: Inform, Consult, Partner and Delegate Power. These approaches guide the STM towards effective consumer engagement to support our research work, for the continued improvement of medical condition outcomes.

A rectangle with an inner circle divided into 4 quadrants. Quadrant 1, top right of circle has a light grey background is titled Inform. To the right of this quadrant text says Disseminate information, Share Learnings, Build community knowledge. Quadrant 2, lower right of circle has a light purple background is titled Consult. To the right of this quadrant text says Facilitate two-way dialogue between researchers and consumers. Quadrant 3, lower left of circle is titled Partner. To the left of this quadrant text says Work directly with consumers in authentic partnerships. Quadrant 4, top left of circle is titled Partner. To the left of this quadrant text says Empower consumer and researcher teams. In the middle of the circle is a circular arrow pointing in a clockwise direction indicating increasing levels of engagement between consumers and researchers. Credit: Graphic created in BioRender

What

The CaRE program facilitates mutually beneficial and meaningful connections between researchers and members of the community who have a lived experience of the health condition/s that we study – often termed “consumers”.

Why

Effective engagement with consumers ensures that our translational research aims, directions and outcomes accurately reflect the priorities of patients, their families and the wider community.

Who

People of all ages, diversity and lived consumer experience are needed to work alongside our research teams to improve outcomes for patients. Note: This program does not involve clinical trial participation or sample collection for research.

How

Levels and location of consumer involvement will be tailored to individual preferences and time availability. Different levels of engagement are available including:

  • Academic research engagement: contributing to grant proposals and plain language summaries of research findings
  • Networking: including meet-and-greet sessions with researchers and students, symposiums and seminars
  • Media engagement: contributing to the preparation of articles and advocating for research activities at the STM.
  • Community Advisory Panel (CAP): Make an impact across various studies in one medical condition area

Committee

Our Community and Researcher Engagement (CaRE) Committee aims to facilitate valuable and productive interactions and connections between community representatives and researchers within the STM. We support both the researchers and their community representative partners in a variety of ways. This includes, providing a framework for interaction, links to training workshops and information/training to ensure each partnership is valued and productive. We also run an annual symposium, meet and greet events, online networking forums and laboratory tours for members of the community who are connected to the STM through our Community Engagement Group.


Left to Right, Top to Bottom Dr Alicia King, Dr Arwel Jones, Dr Karen Alt, Jurie Tashkandi, Evangelia Bishop, Paige Druce, Dr Michelle Zajac, Dr Pia Campagna, Sophia Wallace, Ms Tiffany Rushen, Gabriella Tikellis, Narelle Cox, Ms Isabelle Burke, Ms Anna Steiner, Mr Chris Ewart

Current members

Past members

  • A/Prof Matthew McCormack
  • Ms Jen Cheung
  • Dr Catherine Carmichael (Co-Founder)
  • Dr Donia Moujalled
  • Dr Cedric Tremblay
  • Dr Fiona Brown
  • Dr Ioanna Savvidou
  • Dr Omar Ibrahim
  • Dr Donia Moujalled
  • A/Prof Bridgette  Semple
  • Dr Loretta Piccenna
  • Dr Juliana Castro
  • Mr Ken Young
  • Dr Matthew Snelson