Organizing Transdisciplinary Research: A Breast Cancer and Environment Collaborative Model

• In Event: Organizing for Health

Abstract

The Breast Cancer and Environment Research Center/Program (BCERC/P) provides an example of an organizational structure designed to facilitate transdisciplinary research among scientists and advocates that addresses a health problem, breast cancer, too complex for any single discipline to solve independently. The aim of the BCERC/P was to investigate environmental exposures and their links to breast cancer. Multiple lines of research were conceptualized and implemented with the ultimate goal of reducing the risk of breast cancer. Although each line of research was led by an expert in that core area, the BCERC/P was organized to have representation from each of the research cores, including breast cancer advocates. The organizational structure helped to facilitate collaboration, created a forum for problem-solving and shared decision-making, and expanded the perspectives of stakeholders. This presentation delves into the lessons learned from using a community-based, trandisciplinary model to investigate breast cancer and the environment.

Authors

• Kami J. Silk, Michigan State U

• Sandi W Smith, Michigan State U