Training, engaged research, and decision-support products help inform researchers, practitioners, and people about Freshwater and Human Health of the Great Lakes region.
December 4, 2024 - Heather Triezenberg and Erica Clites, Michigan Sea Grant Extension; and DIane Doberneck, University Outreach and Engagement, Michigan State University
Print
EmailThe effort began in 2018 under the Bowling Green State University-led Great Lakes Center for Freshwater and Human Health funded by the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences and the National Science Foundation. MSU engagement leaders from Michigan Sea Grant, MSU Extension, and University Outreach and Engagement led the community engagement core from 2018-2024.
The community engagement goals were to:
- Conduct community engaged scholarship training for scientists associated with the Center,
- Create a community-engaged scholarship training for practitioners or community members associated with the Center,
- Evaluate the short-term impacts of the two community-engaged training workshops,
- Engage in a stakeholder needs assessment for Great Lakes and environmental health literacy to inform general outreach information needs,
- Conduct a vulnerable population needs assessment to inform targeted health communication campaign and its efficacy evaluation
The MSU engagement core team offered community engagement training for scientists associated with the Center. A summary of the training and evaluation of its effectiveness was published in this article on effective partnership-building and communication skills are key for scientific research to benefit society.
In partnerships with the three other Oceans and Human Health Centers, guidance on engaging communities or working in partnership with others was published in Community Science.
Results from interviews with scientists and communities was published in this article on How scientists can work effectively with local communities dealing with harmful algal blooms.
A summary on bridging the gap between research and clinical practice for oceans and human health is available online.
MSU graduate student, Alexandra Benitez-Gonzalez’s master’s research was funded through this project. The National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences highlighted Alex - read more in this article.
Through a partnership with the MSU Institute of Water Research two decision-support tools were developed
- Great Lakes online dashboard - HABs and human health
- Inland HABs and human health risk mapper (funded through U.S. Geological Survey)
Led by University of Michigan, the Great Lakes Center for Freshwater and Human Heath was renewed and the community engagement core leadership transitioned to Ohio Sea Grant with the 2024-2029 Center renewal.
Funding provided by the National Institute of Environmental Health Science (awards 1P01ES028939-01, 2P01ES028939-06) and the National Science Foundation (awards 1840715, OCE-2418066) to the Bowling Green State University Great Lakes Center for Fresh Waters and Human Health, and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, U.S. Department of Commerce through the Regents of the University of Michigan (awards NA180AR4170102 and NA22OAR4170084). The statements, findings, conclusions, and recommendations are solely the responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the National Institutes of Health, National Science Foundation, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, the Department of Commerce, or the Regents of the University of Michigan.
