Modelers and Storytellers: Transdisciplinary Training to Advance Community Health Intervention Research

About the Modelers and Storytellers Transdisciplinary Training 

The accumulation of epidemiologic evidence on the roles that policies, systems and environments play in influencing health behaviors such as eating and physical activity has led to increased interest in applying the socio-ecological framework and community-engaged approaches to the development of “multilevel interventions” targeting at-risk communities. Implementing and evaluating such interventions is challenging because researchers often cannot use a randomized trial design. 

Systems science and data science methods have been proposed as an alternative for evaluating such interventions by allowing researchers to investigate the complex causal mechanisms that shape health outcomes and inequities. However, using these methodologies can be difficult because it requires researchers from diverse disciplines to integrate their knowledge and skills effectively.

The Modelers and Storytellers Transdisciplinary Training is a three-week virtual summer research education program, supported by the National Institutes of Health, will prepare predoctoral and postdoctoral trainees as well as investigators to apply systems and/or data science methods to health disparities research. Participants will learn to collaborate effectively with each other and community stakeholders to accelerate the translation of research into practice. Students and researchers from diverse disciplines interested in addressing the social determinants of health and reducing health disparities are encouraged to apply.

Launching Summer 2023, the Modelers and Storytellers Transdisciplinary Training will provide 75 trainees over the course of three years (25 per cohort) with knowledge and skills necessary for applying systems science and data science methods. Additionally, 10 trainees a year interested in gaining more hands-on experience will participate in a three-week practicum experience following the training.

Summer 2023 Training Details

  • Dates: Thursday, July 6 - Wednesday July 26, 2023

  • Schedule: M-F; 8:30am - 4:30pm Pacific Standard Time

  • Format: Live via Zoom

  • Participant expectation: available to attend all sessions

  • Cost: None

Eligibility Requirements:

  1. Education (must meet ONE of the following):

    • Have a doctoral degree

    • Be a current doctoral student

    • Be an incoming doctoral student (starting Fall 2023)

  2. Be a US citizen or permanent resident

Interested students and researchers should submit an online application HERE.

Priority deadline: 11:59pm Pacific Time on Monday March 6, 2023.

Modelers and Storytellers Flyer

Program Leadership