BUILDING CAPACITY FOR TOBACCO RESEARCH IN ROMANIA

Kristie L. Foley, PhD

Inaugural Network Meeting

17 October 2012

Overview

Reflections Aims Logic Model Expectations Next Steps

Reflections

http://grants.nih.gov/grants/guide/rfa-files/RFA-TW-11-003.html

Reflections June 2011 September 2011

…we wait

March, 2012

1. Building Research & Capacity on the Economic Policy-Tobacco Control Nexus in Africa, Jeffrey Drope, American Cancer Society

2. Tobacco Control Policy Analysis & Intervention Evaluation in China & Tanzania, Teh-Wei Hu, Public Health Institute

3. Capacity Building for Tobacco Control in Tunisia, N. Africa, & Middle-East, Harry Alan Lando, Univ of Minnesota

4. Advancing Addiction Research & Capacity to Guide Tobacco Control in Middle East , Wasim Maziak, Florida International Univ

5. Cinema Smoking & Youth Smoking in Latin America, James Sargent, Dartmoth College

6. Tobacco Control Network among Women in Parana, Brazil II, Isabel Scarinci, Univ of Alabama, Birmingham

7. From Production to Retailing: Policy-Oriented Research on Tobacco Economy in Argentina. Veronica Irene Schoj, InterAmerican Heart Foundation

8. Preventing Tobacco Use among Adolescents in Uraguay: Project Activate. Melissa Harrell Stigler, Univ of Texas Health Science Center, Houston.

Other Fogarty Projects

Project Aims

1. Conduct new rigorous, transdisciplinary, high impact tobacco research in Romania by filling strategic gaps and by building the individual capacity of tobacco scientists.

2. Create institutional capacity that will support scientists and advocates engaged in tobacco research.

3. Translate research findings into programs and policies to reduce tobacco use in Romania.

Some characteristics we highlighted in the grant: Disciplinary diversity of our team Emphasis on:

tobacco prevention and cessation reduction of secondhand smoke exposureinclusion of vulnerable populationsintervention-oriented researchstrategically designed so that the results will

inform programmatic and policy change

New studies in key issues in tobacco

control in Romania

Funded studies relevant and rigorous

Increase individual capacity for research and strategic thinking

New partnerships/networks among Romanian, Hungarian, and U.S.

Scientists

Quality research strategically designed

influence tobacco-control policies &

programs

Researchers in Romania become

more methodologically

rigorous and deliberate in tobacco

research

Dissemination to programmatic & policy

stakeholders

New and/or more effective policies and programs to prevent and treat tobacco addiction

Stakeholders more informed about

and committed to tobacco prevention

and cessation

Initial ActivitiesIntermediate

GoalsLong-Term

Goals

Scientists become independent

tobacco control scholars

The Logic Model

Strategy for Romania

Strong individual capacity building model, with Hungarian and American consultants

Research addresses the local needs in Romania

Strategic development of projects

Strategy for Romania (cont.) Commitment to networking meetings

October: Annual MeetingsApril/May: Mid-Year Meetings, as needed

Opportunity for Meetings at International Conferences

Opportunity for US-Based Training Initiatives in N.C.

Evaluation of the Initiative Evaluation of the initiative requires

commitment to mentoring and progress reportsAligned with the 3 Aims & Logic Model

Regular communication critical not only for individual projects, but overall initiative

Funds for research, conference travel, publication support, other dissemination activities

Individual Capacity BuildingOUTCOMES PROCESS INDICATORS

1. At least 7 new strategically important, well-designed studies on tobacco are completed.

2. Findings from the new studies are published and presented in venues that contribute to tobacco-control science, both within Romania and more broadly.

3. The mentored Romanian scientists increase their knowledge and skills in all aspects of the research process.

4. The mentored scientists advance their career goals and increase their stature as tobacco researchers.

5. The Hungarian scientists increase their skill in peer mentoring and their stature as tobacco researchers.

 

1. Individual research projects are designed strategically in line with the overall initiative logic model

2. Individual projects achieve their respective aims.

3. Mentored scientists attend formal training series and report that the sessions are valuable.

4. Mentored scientists work collaboratively with mentors.

5. Hungarian scientists regularly reach out to mentored scientists and provide useful advice.

6. Mentored scientists submit high-quality manuscripts for publication and abstracts to conferences.

Institutional Capacity Building

OUTCOMES PROCESS INDICATORS1. Romanian scientists form new

interdisciplinary collaborations among themselves and with scientists form partner countries (evidenced by co-authored papers/presentations).

2. Additional scientists in Romania are actively engaged in tobacco research.

3. A network of tobacco scientists forms in Romania.

4. New tobacco research projects are initiated to address strategic gaps in tobacco control.

 

1. A diverse group of stakeholders (beyond mentored scientists) attends workshops and retreats.

2. Mentored scientists engage students and post-docs in funded studies.

3. Tobacco scientists in Romania come together to assess tobacco-control needs and opportunities.

Translation of Findings

OUTCOMES PROCESS INDICATORS1. Mentored scientists form new

relationships with individuals and organizations with influence over tobacco control policy and programming.

2. Findings from the funded studies are used to inform new tobacco-control policies and programs, and/or to build a case for policy change.

  

1. Projects are designed deliberately and strategically in line with overall logic model.

2. Findings from studies are presented in venues that reach audiences able to improve Romanian tobacco-control policy and programming.

Regional Impact & Sustainability To build a network of

well-trained tobacco control scientists in Central & Eastern Europe and to serve as a catalyst for new CEE programs on tobacco control that is evidence-based and broad-reaching.

37%

28%51%-males

40%

33-36%

31-37%

29%

Goals for Today’s Meeting To achieve:

Synergy among projectsReduce duplication of effortConstruct research questions and methodology that fill

a gap in knowledge in Romania (and internationally)To ensure methodology (research design, sampling,

and analysis plan) will be sufficient to address your research question(s)

To discuss how this research fits with your long-term professional goals

Begin a discussion of “gaps” that our 7 projects will not address

Next Steps

All teams will receive written feedback following this meeting

Ongoing conversations with team members

Prefer a deliberate, patient approach rather than a rushed approach that lacks

Values

Collaboration & networkingNot only today, but in-between meetings as

well Focused, deliberate, and strategic Quality more important than quantity Routine communication Regular reporting

Questions?Thank you.