Admin Core

PROJECT SUMMARY - ADMINISTRATIVE CORE The overarching goal of the Health-First Climate Action Research Center, a Wisconsin-based Climate Change and Health Research Center (CCHRC), is to catalyze rigorous, innovative, community-driven, policy-relevant, transdisciplinary research on health and equity impacts of specific energy choices as the US strives to reach a

low-carbon energy transition. Achieving this goal requires effective coordination and communication, evaluation, and a plan for sustainability beyond the initial 3-year funding period. The Administrative Core will serve that need by coordinating, administrating, evaluating, and sustaining all components and processes of the CCHRC.

This goal will be achieved through five Specific Aims: (1) Coordinate interaction and integration across the Cores, Research Projects, and activities of the Center, (2) Create an effective administrative structure for successful governance and clear decision-making, (3) Establish and administer a Pilot Grants Program to support pilot

initiatives and expand research capacity, (4) Establish and convene a transdisciplinary, cross-sector External Advisory Committee to guide overall direction and strategic decision-making, and (5) Conduct thorough and iterative evaluation of all activities, processes, outcomes, and impacts of the research center, with a focus on

equitable community engagement, transdisciplinary integration, and a health-first approach. The Administrative Core team includes a Director and Deputy Director, both accomplished leaders in climate change and health research with extensive leadership experience; a co-investigator with experience in air pollutant

impacts on children; and staff with expertise in transdisciplinary team science, community engagement, evaluation, climate science communication, and team coordination. Administrative Core team members will leverage several innovative strengths to increase the capacity and impact of the CCHRC, including distributed

leadership across academic institutions and community and policy groups; integration of diverse perspectives through activities such as voting rights to community members regarding the Center’s activities and direction; a multisector, transdisciplinary approach that integrates and builds upon expertise across disciplines and sectors;

and structures such as the Pilot Grants Program, External Advisory Committee, Evaluation Partnership Team, and Community Advisory Board to maximize the team’s ability to conduct and disseminate results of innovative, meaningful, policy-relevant research. The Administrative Core team will support, facilitate, and evaluate

research aimed at maximizing health and equity impacts of energy and transportation policies and choices. All administrative activities will include processes and plans for multidirectional communication and learning that enable iterative improvement and midcourse correction when needed. Through these activities and structures,

the Administrative Core will promote integration across scientific disciplines, community partners, and collaborating institutions to facilitate maximum effectiveness of this innovative, community-engaged, equity- driven, transdisciplinary CCHRC.