Call for Applications for Community Advisory Board Inaugural Members

The UCSF Clinical and Translational Science Institute (CTSI) is launching a Community Advisory Board (CTSI CAB) and is excited to issue a call for community members who are passionate about academic-community partnerships to serve on the CAB. Applications will be accepted until August 20, 2024, and the first meeting will take place in early October 2024. Nominations of qualified colleagues are also welcomed.

What is the CTSI?

CTSI is a 20-year-old institute at UCSF dedicated to supporting researchers across the university with innovative tools and strategies, consultation, and infrastructure to help ensure research has a positive effect on health and wellbeing.

Why is the CTSI forming a CAB?

CTSI has long partnered with the community through the Community Engagement Program, but we are seeking to improve our partnership with communities in the SF Bay and Fresno areas by forming this advisory board.

What will the CAB do?

The CTSI CAB will help the CTSI ensure that research is community engaged and that it results in meaningful improvements in health and health equity. The CAB will partner with the CTSI faculty and staff to create a research environment in which communities that have been historically excluded feel valued, respected, and welcomed.

CAB discussion topics may include:

• Mechanisms for greater institutional accountability
• Approaches to ensure that use of generative AI in research advances rather than compromises equity
• Ways UCSF can leverage its research expertise and resources for the benefit of community-based health efforts

CAB members will also have the opportunity to draw attention to specific research needs and partnership opportunities in their communities.

Who should be nominated for the CAB?

The CAB will be made up of a diverse group of community partners with expertise in the San Francisco Bay and Fresno areas. We are looking for up to 15 people who represent the following groups:

• Community- or faith-based organizations, or community organization collectives
• Research participants or research advisors, including youth research advisors
• Community-based clinics or clinic consortiums
• Local policy-making entities, including Departments of Public Health
• Patients, former patients, or caregivers of UCSF Health, including Benioff Children’s Hospitals, or UCSF’s affiliate sites
• Clinical Research Coordinators (who are not currently employed by UCSF)

We strongly encourage people from backgrounds historically excluded from research to be nominated for the CAB, including young adults (18-30) and people living with disability/differing abilities.

What does being a CAB member entail?

CAB members will attend four to five 90-minute meetings per year, including at least one in-person meeting that may require travel (reimbursed). In addition to participating in robust discussions, CAB members may have the opportunity to present at or attend conferences and co-author manuscripts. For the first year, meetings will be conducted in English only.

CAB members will be remunerated at a rate of $145/hour for meetings and meeting preparation.

How can I nominate myself or someone else?

People interested in participating in the CAB should have experience with or curiosity about health-oriented research, a commitment to health equity, and skills to collaborate in a group setting with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

Members of the CTSI faculty and staff and current community partners will review nominations. People not selected for the CAB at this time should indicate on the application if they are interested in other collaborations or being considered in the future.

If you have any questions about the process or the role, please contact the Community Engagement Program Associate Director, Rana Barar at [email protected].

To nominate yourself or another potential member, click here or scan the QR code.

Timeline