Growing the Next Generation of Violence Against Women Prevention Researchers (McBEE)

• In Event: Multi College Bystander Efficacy Evaluation (McBEE)

Abstract

We present strategies for identifying, nurturing and supporting junior faculty as research partners in this CDC funded U01 entitled Multi-College Bystander Efficacy Evaluation. Measures of the impact of VAW researcher mentorship through this cooperative agreement will be presented and include increasing skills and productivity of both more senior and more junior researchers (mentoring teams). With rapid changes in electronic (and other) technologies, junior researchers have skills to share with more senior researchers; junior researchers have much to contribute in both informing and expanding senior researcher perspectives and skills. Similarly, senior researchers have much to share in the elements of successful grant development and management, study design, recruitment, field methods, data analyses, and research communication. An innovative attribute of this team approach is that of a community versus individual training grants. Individual training grants do exist (primarily K awards with NIH). With this training, one junior researcher may receive salary coverage to conduct research and receive additional training. Missing in this individualized approach is the opportunity to measure growth in senior researchers and within junior researchers interactions. Fostering relationships between researchers across rank can, over time, create capacity for collaborative research and help grow the next generation of VAW prevention researchers.

Authors

• Ann L. Coker, University of Kentucky

• Bonnie S. Fisher, University of Cincinnati

• Heather Bush, University of Kentucky

• Emily Clear, University of Kentucky

• Danielle Davidov, West Virginia University