Community Engagement Toolkit

Why pursue Community-Engaged Research?

Increasingly, researchers and funders recognize that community input and participation in research are crucial to generate results that are more likely to be useful and lead to real practice and policy changes. When research is conducted in community-based settings, the needs, questions and real circumstances of community members, clinicians and community-based organizations can be integrated with the research questions asked and the solutions that are proposed.

Academia is about being heard and known and seen. Community Engagement is all about stepping back.

Brandon Ruiz, UCSF Researcher

What would you like to do?

Conduct Community-Engaged Research

A Quick-Start Guide for Researchers (PDF)
For academic researchers at UCSF who are interested in community-based partnerships for research

A Resource Manual for UCSF Researchers working with Community-Based Organizations (PDF)
This is one of a series of manuals developed by the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Community Engagement Program on conducting community-engaged and translational research.

A Resource Manual for Researchers working with Community-Based Clinicians (PDF)
This is one of a series of manuals developed by the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Community Engagement Program on conducting community-engaged and translational research.

An Introduction to Effectiveness, Dissemination and Implementation Research (PDF)
A resource manual for community-engaged research

Community-based Participatory Research Toolbox
UCSF internal site with curriculum, publications, webinars and other resources to assist with researchers and organizations interested in Community-Based Participatory Research (CBPR)

Conduct Patient-Centered Outcomes Research (PCOR)

PCORI Research Fundamentals: Preparing You to Successfully Contribute to Research
Free comprehensive training offers different ways to learn about the health research process and be involved in patient-centered outcomes research

PCORI Engagement Tool and Resource Repository
Repository of engagement-related tools and resources developed and used by PCORI awardees. This searchable peer-to-peer repository includes resources that can inform future work in patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR).

INSPIRE Research Portal
CERTAIN Patient Advisory Network's INSPIRE Research Portal is an online library of resources designed for patients and researchers partnering on patient-centered outcomes research (PCOR), healthcare studies that actively engage patients in the research process from start to finish.

Develop and Support Equitable Partnerships

A Quick-Start Guide for Community-Based Organizations (PDF)
For community-based organizations who are interested in partnering with UCSF for research.

A Resource Manual for Community-Based Organizations (PDF)
This is one of a series of manuals developed by the UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) Community Engagement Program on conducting community-engaged and translational research.

Community-Campus Partnerships for Health
Resources that promote health equity and social justice through partnerships between community partners and institutions.

Log in to COMESH to find partnerships
CoMesh is an inter-institutional collaboration between San Francisco State University, Sonoma State University, University of California at San Francisco, University of San Francisco, the San Francisco City Administrator’s Office, and IQR Consulting with the mutually defined goal of establishing a shared database to promote, develop and coordinate university-community partnerships.

Linkage to Database of Best Practices
Resources for exploring promising approaches to promote community health and development.

Participate in Patient Advisory Council

Institute for Family and Patient-Centered Care Toolbox
Toolbox for building sustainable partnerships in research, tools and resources. Provides information on engaging patient advisory councils.

Beryl Institute
Resources related to the patient experience in healthcare.

Community Engagement Modules
The purpose of these modules is to provide an introduction to community-academic partnerships and to enhance collaborations between communities and UCSF students, faculty, staff, and campus groups.

PFAC Rules and Confidentiality
Cancer patient and family participating on advisory council rules of engagement.

Address Health Disparities and Health Equity

Community-Campus Partnerships for Health
Resources that promote health equity and social justice through partnerships between community partners and institutions.

PolicyLink: Community Engagement & Participation Checklist Addressing Disparities for Healthier Places (PDF)
The items included in this outline are important components of an authentic and participatory community engagement process. This outline should be used to help assess the extent to which you are integrating community input and involvement into your project.