Community Research Posters: A Dissemination Tactic to Share Study Findings With the Community

Scientific posters are a common medium for disseminating research findings to academic peers. We transformed the traditional academic poster into an accessible, community-focused visual presented in community spaces at events such as health fairs. The 5-step process includes: co-create a community-focused template, recruit presenters, co-create posters, coach presenters, and present posters in community settings. Since development, our team has replicated and improved the process through three iterations. Presenters have presented a diverse selection of studies (e.g., substance use, pain management, stroke prevention) at three community events, reaching almost 400 neighborhood residents. To move the needle on community trust in researchers and then community adoption of evidence-based health behaviors and treatments, we must engage the community in participatory dissemination. The process described here is a roadmap for direct-to-community dissemination that can strengthen the reciprocal relationship between university and community.