Research projects addressing diverse community needs
IHSI’s Community-Academic Scholars Program matches undergraduates with academic mentors and community partners to address issues affecting our community. This year’s program features 13 powerful projects addressing a range of topics including accessibility and neurodiversity training for non-profits, reducing maternal health disparities, visualizing the impact of acupuncture through art, the social impact of the CU BIPOC Artist Collective, digital dietary programs, expanding cultural humility in community clinics, body mapping for birth workers, addressing postpartum challenges for Latina mothers, strengthening community and volunteer engagement, robotic assistance for aging populations, culturally inclusive meals, food insecurity among older adults, and English literacy practices among Afghan women.
Three of these projects are led by FAA staff or faculty, including:
- “Community Healing in Focus: Visualizing the Impact of Acupuncture Through Art” – led by Catalina Alzate (Art & Design), and in collaboration with community partner Urbana Acupuncture.
- “Creative Equity: Documenting the Social Impact of the CU BIPOC Artist Collective” – led by Carolyn Randolph-Kato (Director for Engaged Research), and in collaboration with the City of Urbana Arts and Culture Program.
- “Mapping Care: Visualizing Experiences of Care by Home Visitors and Birth Workers through Participatory Body Mapping” – led by Catalina Alzate (Art & Design), and in collaboration with community partner GREAT Start home Visiting Program.