Investigations in Disasters and Emergencies: Advancing Applied Learning in Disaster Research Response (IDEAAL DR2)

The deleterious health impacts of disasters create long lasting effects across the United States. However, the evidence base guiding our nation’s preparedness and response has been described as “seriously deficient.” Research conducted in the aftermath of a disaster is essential to building this evidence base, but is inherently challenging. Accordingly, an established and trained disaster research workforce is essential. However, we are unaware of any training that provides researchers hands-on, experiential training in environmental and public health disaster research methods and follow-on support. In response, the Investigations in Disasters and Emergencies: Advancing Applied Learning in Disaster Research Response (IDEAAL DR2) program will provide intensive skills-based training in environmental and public health disaster research. IDEAAL DR2 will train up to 100 early career researchers across the U.S.to 1) Increase the knowledge and awareness of environmental and public health disaster research methods and skills among interdisciplinary, early career researchers who are interested in conducting public health-focused hazards and disaster research; and 2) Provide follow-on mentorship, financial support, and access to necessary training, equipment, and technology to support early-career researchers in the development and completion of their own research projects that advance public or environmental health disaster science. The course will include five modules with pre-course, in-person, and post-course components: 1) foundations of disaster research; 2) community engagement in disaster research, 3) disaster research methods; 4) tools and instrumentation for disaster research; and 5) disaster research design and implementation. For 12 months following the in-person course, fellows will design and implement an independent disaster research project, leading to a paper of publishable quality or equivalent career-advancing products, supported by monthly training workshops and peer accountability groups. In addition, five fellows annually, will receive dedicated research advising and financial support for their project. Interdisciplinary program faculty have a strong and long-standing history of collaboration. They will be guided by an advisory committee and results from a rigorous formative and summative evaluation program. Course and evaluation materials will be disseminated broadly through the NIEHS DR2 and NIEHS Partnerships for Environmental Public Health Resources Portal, and evaluation findings will be shared with NIEHS and through conference presentations and publications.