BC Environmental and Occupational Health Research Network working to make BC a national leader in occupational and environmental health research

MSFHR Networking Infrastructure Program Health of Populations Networks, Jan 2005  Aboriginal Research  Aging Research  Child and Youth Health Research  Disabilities Health Research  Mental Health & Addictions Research  Occupational and Environmental Health Research  Rural and Remote Health Research  Women’s Health Research Technology, Methodology Platforms, March 2006

A brief history… Spring 2004: MSFHR Network program announced Spring 2004: environmental scan, preliminary list of EOH researchers Interim co-leaders: Henry Harder, Kay Teschke, Craig Stephen Sep 2004: Province-wide consultations –Prince George (11 participants) –Vancouver (41 participants) –Victoria (11 participants Oct 25, 2004: Proposal submitted Jan 2005: funding approved (funds held at UNBC) Feb 2005: 1 st Scientific Director, Craig Stephen June 2005: –Executive Director hired - Pat Atherton –Associate Director – Henry Harder Fall 2005: –website launched, newsletter, brochure, –research capacity development awards Nov 2005: inagaural general meeting, new SD, Susan Kennedy

BCEOHRN: Vision Our vision is a network of innovative research teams conducting world-class research intended to improve the health of people affected by occupational and environmental risks, who interact with communities so that research results are used to effect change. We envision a truly provincial network that creates new efficiencies, partnerships and opportunities that will make BC a magnet for training, attracting and retaining top quality researchers.

BCEOHRN Mission increase knowledge among researchers of common resources, common questions and shared opportunities; help researchers and research users navigate the environmental and occupational health community in BC to facilitate efficient access to information and capabilities; and assist in attracting and maintaining a vibrant occupational and environmental health research community in BC by supporting training, research development, and communications

What is a research network? Not –a large research consortium –a club of like-minded enthusiasts –helping the same folks be better at the same things with the same people A network does: –provide support to increase the probability of accidental productive partnerships new initiatives that actively generate knowledge in objective forms

BCEOHRN People  ~ 230 members across the province  Provincial presence:  Part time Scientific Director (Vancouver)  Part time Associate Director (Prince George)  Full time Executive Director (Victoria)

BCEOHRN Board  Susan Kennedy, Occup. & Environ. Hygiene, UBC (Chair)  Henry Harder, Health Sciences Program, UNBC (Associate Director)  Caroline Alexander, Northern Health Authority, Fort St. John  Ray Copes, Public Health Agency, Environmental Health Centre  Melissa Friesen, PhD Student, Occup.& Environ. Hygiene, UBC  Rick Gallagher, BC Cancer Research Centre, Vancouver  Carla MacLean, PhD Student, Psychology, U Victoria  Gabrielle McHugh, PhD Student, Psychology, UNBC  Jack Nickel, Health Canada Safe Environments Program, Vancouver  Eleanor Setton, PhD Student, Geography, U Victoria  Craig Stephen, Centre for Coastal Health, Malaspina Univ.College  Kay Teschke, Health Care and Epidemiology, UBC  Shannon Wagner, Health Sciences Program, UNBC

Members

Inaugural General Meeting, Nov 2005  60 members attending from across BC  Board, SD, terms of reference ratified  Announcement of grant recipients  Networking lunch  Educational workshop  Examples of successful partnerships  Networking à la CIHR

2006 – Draft Priorities  Supporting access to researchers and resources  Searchable database of EOH researchers / expertise  Searchable database of shareable resources (? FRED…)  Supporting teams and networking  travel support - informal connections/meetings  support for MSFHR ‘platforms’ initiatives  Support for trainees, young investigators  mentorship program  research development / capacity grants  Communications  Website - ?? knowledge transfer components  weekly ‘updates’ to membership  web based seminars

Database of researchers Key functions –Easily searchable location, organization, expertise, research interests, ?? what else –Regularly updated (by BCEOHRN staff) ?? Your input

Shareable resources

Research Capacity Development Funding available Deadline Feb. 28/06 Maximum $10,000  to help new research teams successfully compete for research funds at the national and international level

Networking Facilitation Fund No deadline Maximum $2,500 to assist members to travel or connect in a variety of ways, eg. –plan research projects –face-to-face meetings to prepare research grant applications to national or international granting agencies. costs may include travel, facilitation, teleconferencing/videoconferencing, etc

Mentorship Program: Components Grant and scholarship application reviews Quarterly development seminars - ? topics Info on structured one-on-one mentoring available at host institutions Information clearinghouse for resouces ?? Collaboration with other MSFHR networks

Communications

Join The Network Joining the Network is easy. your contact information and area of research interest to: Pat Atherton

BCEOHRN Working to make BC a national leader in occupational and environmental health research your input is essential …