Building on a tradition of broadly-engaged teamwork, the CCTS has created the Community Engagement Institute to foster dialogue among scientists, citizens and stakeholders alike to identify pivotal health priorities in the region. The CEI platform now integrates several discussion forums and special events to bring people together to explore issues in healthcare and to support regional collaboration and best practices. Attendees represent numerous community- and faith-based organizations, non-profits, social, civic & health care groups and neighborhoods as well as academic researchers and trainees, to take part in conversations about issues facing communities in the Deep South.
Bioethics Forum
The CCTS Bioethics Forum, hosted by Tuskegee University, brings together researchers, bioethicists, students, community members, front-line research staff, and clinical staff to discuss ethical issues in research. This annual event provides a discussion venue and proactive stance for invited experts and pertinent stakeholders to highlight accurately “what we know” and to reflect on approaches that can inform “what we ought to do” individually, institutionally, and collectively to drive effective policy and law.
CEI Perspectives
CEI Perspectives hosts engaged conversations that address focused topics of interest to communities to appreciate multiple points of view and to serve as a call to action for science, service, and solutions. Drawing on a combination of formal presentations and moderated panels, this venue provides an agile and more frequent setting to respond to pressing issues. CEI Perspectives is a partnership with the UAB Center for the Study of Community Health.
CEI Symposium
The CEI Symposium is a day-long, multifaceted event focused on topics related to health issues that affect our communities. The CEI Symposium examines the importance of why and how community engagement and collaboration are effective in social/behavioral research and essential in community building practices. Weaving together plenary sessions, keynote speakers, poster sessions, break-out discussions and networking opportunities, the CEI Symposium provides multiple ways to get involved and to build collaboration.
