{"686736":{"#nid":"686736","#data":{"type":"news","title":"Connecting Communities: Georgia Tech\u2019s Community-Engaged Research Council Drives Engagement and Impact","body":[{"value":"\u003Cdiv\u003E\u003Cp\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s research enterprise is expanding its reach beyond campus walls, thanks to the work of the Community-Engaged Research (CER) Council. Formed in 2024, the council focuses on making collaborations between Georgia Tech and community partners easier, more strategic, and more impactful.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAt Georgia Tech, there\u2019s incredible expertise in community engagement,\u201d said \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scre.research.gatech.edu\/ruthie-yow\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERuthie Yow\u003C\/a\u003E SCoRE\u2019s associate director, who facilitates the council. \u201cBut until now, there was no centralized way to connect those efforts. The council fills that gap.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EFive Pillars for Impact\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThe council\u2019s strategy centers on five pillars: Coordination, Partners, Faculty Training and Recognition, Communication, and Resource Development. These priorities emerged from a strategic planning process involving seven interdisciplinary research institutes (IRIs) and centers, including \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/sustainability\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EBrook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems\u003C\/a\u003E (BBISS), \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/ipat\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EInstitute for People and Technology (IPaT),\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/energy.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EStrategic Energy Institute (SEI),\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/rbi\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ERenewable Bioproducts Institute (RBI),\u003C\/a\u003E the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/innovate.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EEnterprise Innovation Institute (EI\u00b2),\u003C\/a\u003E \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/pingeorgia.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003EPartnership for Inclusive Innovation\u003C\/a\u003E (PIN) and \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.scre.research.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ESCoRE\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENew Tool: Community Connect Website\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003ECouncil members are developing new tools to support these priorities, including the brand-new \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/communityconnect.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECommunity Connect\u003C\/a\u003E website, led by \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/people\/nicole-kennard\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENicole Kennard,\u003C\/a\u003E assistant director for Community-Engaged Research in BBISS. The platform connects faculty and community partners by allowing them to create profiles, post engagement opportunities, and view an interactive map of partnerships.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cWhen I started this role, faculty told me they wanted to know who Georgia Tech was already working with and how to find new partners,\u201d Kennard said. \u201cThey didn\u2019t want to duplicate efforts or cold-call potential partners. This website addresses this challenge by showing existing connections and helping track engagement.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EThe site will also serve as a data repository to measure impact of partnerships. \u201cHaving this data will help us advocate for infrastructure and support for community-engaged research,\u201d Kennard added.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EBBISS, IPaT, and more than 70 people from five of the Institute\u2019s colleges and 18 units across GT supported the development of this new interactive site. The \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/communityconnect.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Esite\u003C\/a\u003E is up and running while the team makes minor adjustments before a full launch in Spring 2026. Make a profile and share any website feedback with \u003Ca href=\u0022http:\/\/nicole.kennard@gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ENicole Kennard\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EBuilding Capacity: Grant Readiness Training\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EIn September, the council sponsored a grant readiness training for 18 community-based organizations. Led by SCoRE,\u0026nbsp;the two-day workshop covered proposal basics, budgeting, logic models, and outcome measurement parameters. Over the course of two full days at the Outdoor Activity Center in West Atlanta, participants in the training helped these partners build the foundational systems, content, and strategies needed for effective grant seeking. Rather than focusing solely on writing techniques, this intensive workshop emphasized organizational readiness\u2014equipping participants with materials such as boilerplate content, budget templates, outcome measurement frameworks, and funder research strategies. Tailored for organizations with limited staff who juggle multiple roles, the training provided practical, immediately applicable tools that support a proactive, long-term approach to securing grant funding. Read more about the training \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scre.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3243\u0022 title=\u0022https:\/\/scre.research.gatech.edu\/node\/3243\u0022\u003Ehere\u003C\/a\u003E.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ECollaboration in Action: Clarkston Project\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EThrough the leadership of council members Leigh Hopkins and Candice McKie, the council is launching a collaboration with the \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/cedr.gatech.edu\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECenter for Economic Development Research\u003C\/a\u003E (CEDR), to support strategic visioning for the City of Clarkston after funding cuts threatened its planning process. Clarkston, Georgia, one of the most culturally diverse cities in the country, is moving into the second phase of their collaboration with CEDR. The two groups together are continuing to work on place-making, community-wide events, and creative incentives to attract and retain new businesses.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u201cIt was a great example of pooling resources to lift up community vision and meet a community need,\u201d Yow said.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003ENetworking for Impact\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EOn December 10, the council will host a networking event for faculty and staff engaged in CER. The goal is to share successes, attract new collaborators, and identify projects for 2026.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EJoin us at 2 p.m. in the Student Success Center, President\u2019s Suite B , for light refreshments.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003E\u003Cstrong\u003EEngagement Across IRIs\u003C\/strong\u003E\u003Cbr\u003EGeorgia Tech\u2019s interdisciplinary research institutes are already leading impactful projects: IPaT\u2019s \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cearhub.org\/\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003ECEAR Hub\u003C\/a\u003E supports \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/www.cearhub.org\/projects\/pin-point-resilience-projects\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Eclimate and cultural resilience in Georgia\u2019s barrier islands\u003C\/a\u003E; BBISS works on \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/scre.research.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/2024-10\/Case%20Study%20%235.pdf\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Econservation and cultural sustainability\u003C\/a\u003E with tribal Ojibwe partners; SEI\u2019s Energy Faculty Fellows Program \u003Ca href=\u0022https:\/\/research.gatech.edu\/third-cohort-energy-faculty-fellow-program-attracts-multidisciplinary-researchers\u0022 rel=\u0022noreferrer noopener\u0022 target=\u0022_blank\u0022\u003Ebuilds research networks with minority-serving institutions\u003C\/a\u003E; RBI\u2019s ReWood initiative advances renewable forest biotechnology for a climate-smart economy.\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003EFaculty interested in learning more about CER can start by connecting with the council members. \u201cWe want to make it easy for researchers and communities to create mutually beneficial partnerships,\u201d Yow said. \u201cReach out, share your work, and join us in building Georgia Tech\u2019s impact.\u201d\u003C\/p\u003E\u003Cp\u003ECouncil members include Terri Sapp (RBI), Clint Zeagler (IPaT), Nicole Kennard (BBISS), Leigh Hopkins and Candice McKie (CEDR), Yang You (SEI), Katie O\u0027Connor (PIN), Ruthie Yow (SCoRE), and Rose Santa Gonzalez (Institute for Robotics \u0026amp; Intelligent Machines.)\u003C\/p\u003E\u003C\/div\u003E","summary":"","format":"limited_html"}],"field_subtitle":"","field_summary":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u201cAt Georgia Tech, there\u2019s incredible expertise in community engagement,\u201d said Ruthie Yow. \u201cBut until now, there was no centralized way to connect those efforts. The council fills that gap.\u201d The council\u2019s strategy centers on five pillars: Coordination, Partners, Faculty Training and Recognition, Communication, and Resource Development.\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"field_summary_sentence":[{"value":"Georgia Tech has considerable expertise in community engagement. The CER council connects all the initiatives around campus adding impact and reach to everyone\u0027s efforts."}],"uid":"27338","created_gmt":"2025-12-04 17:42:29","changed_gmt":"2025-12-09 15:57:08","author":"Brent Verrill","boilerplate_text":"","field_publication":"","field_article_url":"","location":"Atlanta, GA","dateline":{"date":"2025-12-04T00:00:00-05:00","iso_date":"2025-12-04T00:00:00-05:00","tz":"America\/New_York"},"extras":[],"hg_media":{"678771":{"id":"678771","type":"image","title":"group-photo-Grant-Writing-Workshop_cropped.jpg","body":"\u003Cp\u003EGrant readiness training participants and facilitators, pictured at the West Atlanta Watershed Alliance\u0027s Outdoor Activity Center. Photo includes: \u0026nbsp;Kristin Janacek (BBISS), Thomas Fuentes (Cascade Springs Nature Preserve), Awaz Jabari (Refugee Women\u0027s Network), Anurupa Roy (Center for Sustainable Communities), Freddie Stevens III (Re\u0027Gen Community Advisory), Chuck Barlow Sr. (Henderson School Alumni Association and Trust), Katie Kissel (Unearthing Farm and Market), Anna Tinoco Santiago (SCoRE), Tia Davis (ArtsXChange), Cassandra Knight (Henderson School Alumni Association and Trust), Desiree Jones (Georgia Advancing Communities Together), Alexandra Rodriguez Dalmau (SCoRE), Pabitra Poudyel (Refugee Women\u0027s Network), Katie O\u0027Connell (Georgia Tech School of City and Regional Planning), Ruthie Yow (SCoRE), and Meena Khodayar (Refugee Women\u0027s Network)\u0026nbsp;\u003C\/p\u003E","created":"1764964749","gmt_created":"2025-12-05 19:59:09","changed":"1765290727","gmt_changed":"2025-12-09 14:32:07","alt":"Group picture of Community Engaged Research workshop participants.","file":{"fid":"262846","name":"group-photo-Grant-Writing-Workshop_cropped.jpg","image_path":"\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/05\/group-photo-Grant-Writing-Workshop_cropped.jpg","image_full_path":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/\/sites\/default\/files\/2025\/12\/05\/group-photo-Grant-Writing-Workshop_cropped.jpg","mime":"image\/jpeg","size":1276688,"path_740":"http:\/\/hg.gatech.edu\/sites\/default\/files\/styles\/740xx_scale\/public\/2025\/12\/05\/group-photo-Grant-Writing-Workshop_cropped.jpg?itok=IMjYWSQ5"}}},"media_ids":["678771"],"groups":[{"id":"244191","name":"Brook Byers Institute for Sustainable Systems"},{"id":"1280","name":"Strategic Energy Institute"},{"id":"660398","name":"Sustainability Hub"}],"categories":[{"id":"42901","name":"Community"},{"id":"194836","name":"Sustainability"}],"keywords":[{"id":"188360","name":"go-bbiss"},{"id":"186858","name":"go-sei"},{"id":"188020","name":"go-rbi"},{"id":"188084","name":"go-ipat"},{"id":"194869","name":"community-engaged research"}],"core_research_areas":[{"id":"194566","name":"Sustainable Systems"}],"news_room_topics":[],"event_categories":[],"invited_audience":[],"affiliations":[],"classification":[],"areas_of_expertise":[],"news_and_recent_appearances":[],"phone":[],"contact":[{"value":"\u003Cp\u003E\u003Ca href=\u0022mailto:jennifer.martin@research.gatech.edu\u0022\u003EJennifer Martin\u003C\/a\u003E, Assistant Director of Research Communications Services\u003C\/p\u003E","format":"limited_html"}],"email":["jennifer.martin@research.gatech.edu"],"slides":[],"orientation":[],"userdata":""}}}