CBRC Researcher Consultations

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Partnering with Communities to Strengthen Research

The Community-Based Research Collaboratory (CBRC) provides researchers with timely, culturally informed guidance to strengthen study design, recruitment strategies, community engagement approaches, and equity-centered research practices for all people.
Our consultations bring together community leaders, advocates, and individuals with lived experience from partnering community-based organizations who can offer valuable perspectives to help researchers build trust, improve relevance, and increase the potential impact of their work.

What Is a CBRC Consultation?

A CBRC consultation is a structured discussion between your research team and members of the Community-Based Research Collaboratory.
The consultation is designed to:

  • Provide feedback through a community-engaged and equity-centered lens for all people
  • Identify opportunities to strengthen recruitment and retention strategies
  • Improve alignment with community priorities and needs
  • Highlight considerations related to trust, ethics, accessibility, and reciprocity
  • Support meaningful community engagement throughout the research lifecycle

Who Should Request a Consultation?

Researchers may benefit from a consultation if they are:

  • Developing a new study
  • Preparing a grant proposal
  • Revising recruitment or retention strategies
  • Needing support for their Diversity Plan for Clinical Trials Supplement – UW Research
  • Seeking guidance on community engagement approaches
  • Looking for feedback on study materials, informed consent forms, or participant communications
  • Working to improve representation and inclusion in clinical research
  • Looking for feedback on dissemination of results

Requesting a Consultation

Step 1: Submit a Request
Complete the CBRC Research Consultation Intake Form.
The intake form helps us understand:

  • Your study goals
  • Target population(s)
  • Current stage of the project
  • Specific questions or challenges
  • Materials for review

Step 2: Schedule a Consultation
After reviewing your request, the CBRC team will contact you with available consultation dates and times.
CBRC Researcher Consultations are held on:

  • 1st Tues of the month: 11am
  • 3rd Wed of the month: 1pm

Step 3: Share Supporting Materials
Researchers are encouraged to provide any materials that will help reviewers understand the project.
Examples include:

  • Protocol or protocol summary
  • IRB documentation
  • Diversity Action Plan
  • Community engagement plan
  • Recruitment and retention plans
  • Recruitment materials
  • Inclusion and exclusion criteria
  • ClinicalTrials.gov information
  • Previous recruitment outcomes
  • Study summaries or presentations

Preparing for the Consultation

To help create a productive discussion, researchers will be asked to prepare a brief presentation (approximately 10 minutes).
Required Introductory Slide
Please include a slide that addresses:

  1. What is the purpose of the project?
    1. What problem or need is the study addressing?
  2. What is the desired outcome?
    1. What do you hope to learn, change, or achieve?
  3. Why is this important?
    1. Why does this work matter to participants, communities, health systems, or society?
  4. What’s your why?
    1.  Why does community engaged work matter to you?

Recommended Presentation Topics
Researchers may also include:

  • Overview of the target population
  • Study objectives
  • Current recruitment and screening process
  • Representation goals and current gaps
  • Existing community engagement efforts
  • Specific questions for the CBRC

We strongly encourage researchers to identify 1-3 priority questions they would like the CBRC to address.

What to Expect During the Consultation

Meeting Length: Approximately 30-60 minutes
Meeting Format: Virtual meeting via Zoom
Participants
Consultations typically include:

  • 4-6 Members of the CBRC (The number of CBRC participants may vary depending on availability and topic expertise).
  • 2-4 Representatives from the Office of Healthcare Equity Community Engagement Team
  • Principal Investigator and if desired members of the research team

During the Meeting

Researchers will:

  • Present a brief overview of their project
  • Discuss key questions and challenges
  • Receive real-time feedback from CBRC members
  • Explore opportunities to strengthen community engagement and equity practices

CBRC members may provide perspectives related to:

  • Community relevance
  • Recruitment and retention
  • Equity and representation
  • Trust and ethical considerations
  • Participant burden
  • Community benefit and reciprocity
  • Dissemination and return of results

Community Working Agreements

CBRC Community Working Agreements

What you Will Receive

Within approximately two weeks following the consultation, researchers will receive a written feedback summary. This summary uses Table 1: Spectrum of Community Engagement in Clinical Trials Research, Requirements by Research Lifecycle Stage as the foundation for providing feedback.
The summary may include:

Key Recommendations
A concise list of priority recommendations identified by CBRC members.

Overall Assessment
Strengths of the project and opportunities for improvement.
Community Relevance and Responsiveness
Feedback regarding:

  • Alignment with community priorities
  • Community involvement and engagement approaches
  • Opportunities to strengthen partnerships

Equity, Inclusion, and Representation
Recommendations related to:

  • Study population representation
  • Recruitment strategies
  • Retention strategies
  • Inclusion and accessibility

Research Design and Methods
Feedback regarding:

  • Feasibility
  • Participant burden
  • Data collection approaches
  • Community-centered adaptations

Ethics, Trust, and Reciprocity
Considerations related to:

  • Trust-building
  • Historical harms
  • Consent processes
  • Community benefit
  • Resource sharing

Dissemination and Knowledge Sharing
Recommendations for:

  • Returning results to communities
  • Sharing findings in accessible formats
  • Community-focused dissemination strategies

Resources and Connections
When appropriate, the CBRC may suggest:

  • Community engagement resources
  • Training opportunities
  • Relevant tools and templates
  • Referrals to community partners or organizations

After the Consultation

Your feedback helps us:

  • Improve future consultations
  • Enhance the researcher experience
  • Ensure the consultation process remains valuable and responsive
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