Research shaped with communities

My work brings community perspectives into research on sleep, physical activity, cancer prevention, and health disparities. I welcome conversations with community organizations, faith communities, health educators, and public health practitioners about questions that matter to the people they serve.

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Community priorities inform the work

Partnerships help shape research questions, intervention materials, and how programs are delivered. Community members and organizations bring knowledge about daily life, local priorities, and how health programs fit within their communities.
 

Feedback through the Community Scientists Program has informed intervention materials. These perspectives connect research questions with the experiences of people who may use the resulting programs.

 

Current areas of partnership

Project SHINE ↗ studies a sleep extension intervention developed with Black church partners. The team includes community partner Rev. Dr. Melvin G. Miller, lead pastor of Progressive Baptist Church, and community liaisons. Participant enrollment has closed. The project website provides information about the Sleep Champion role.
 

In partnership with Metro Youth Diversion Center, cancer prevention research uses perspectives from Somali and Oromo adults and community health workers to inform a culturally tailored workshop. This work focuses on community priorities, training needs, and how relevant and practical the proposed workshop may be.

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Start a conversation

If your organization would like to discuss a research question or possible partnership, email wuivan@umn.edu. A brief introduction to your organization, the community you work with, and the question or priority you would like to discuss is a useful starting point.