Sustained Community Involvement in Translational Research: Evaluating the Acceptability of a Multisession Community Engagement Studio Approach

This study expands the Community Engagement Studio (CE Studio) approach to cultivate deeper, more sustained community involvement in translational research. While traditional CE Studios typically convene a single community expert panel for research input, this study extended the approach to host multiple sessions with multiple diverse panels over a two-year period. The sessions were held virtually and were delivered by a Community Health Worker (CHW), who drew on deep community ties to also conduct strategic outreach, recruitment, and orientation of the panels to the CE Studio approach. The researchers seeking input from the CE Studio panels aimed to develop a health information platform accessible to underserved populations. Community experts participating in four CE Studio panels (African American, Asian American, and English and Spanish-speaking Latinx communities) met on five occasions for a total of 20 CE sessions and completed a postparticipation survey (n = 15) and focus group (n = 16). Participants reported stronger bonds with the research institution and increased appreciation for the value of translational research because of their prolonged participation. The presence of a CHW was viewed as essential to trust-building and sustained panel participation. The study highlights the role of diverse perspectives in shaping research design and technology development, emphasizing that investments in sustained community engagement can enhance the rigor of translational research. Attendance fluctuations and the pacing of sessions were challenges, especially during the pandemic. Nevertheless, the expanded CE Studio approach offers a promising framework for bridging gaps between academic institutions and historically marginalized communities.