The Implementation Science Collaborative (ISC)
As a global anchor for the Implementation Science Collaborative, with the support of USAID’s Health Evaluation and Applied Research Development (HEARD) Project and its implementing partners, the Center for Immigrant, Refugee, and Global Health works to apply the implementation science strategy in our projects and programs.
How the ISC Works
Partnership and Agenda Development
Inclusive consultation to identify partners and priority questions within an issue area.
Research and Evaluation Study Design and Implementation
“Fit-for-purpose” study designs and methods to address implementation questions.
Data Liberation and Evidence Strengthening
Better use of existing data/evidence to address implementation questions.
Acceleration of Evidence-to-use Processes
Strategic linkages to policy and program pathways to accelerate evidence uptake.
The implementation science approach is rooted in the understanding that the use of evidence to improve health policies and programs requires the long-term active engagement of multiple actors representing an extensive array of skill sets and experiences.
Current global partners therefore include diverse local, national and global health actors (implementers, advocates, policy-makers, researchers, and donors) committed to improving the use of real-time evidence for the implementation and advancement of health policies and programs in low and middle-income countries (LMICs).
ISC Approach
International Collaboration on Migration and Health
Advancing urban migrant health through global partnerships, research, and dialogue is a goal of the CUNY Center for Immigrant, Refugee, and Global Health (CIRGH). The Center facilitates multi-stakeholder dialogue on immigrant, refugee, and global health issues, co-hosting forums with partners both in NYC and around the world, inviting speakers to share experience and insights. Efforts on international collaboration on migration and health include the following initiatives:
Advancing urban migrant health through interdisciplinary global partnerships and research is one main goal of CIRGH. To this end, the Big Cities Network is a growing network of urban-focused centers from big cities around the world that aims to promote global partnerships, share research, and develop new synergies to promote the health of migrants in big city urban settings using best policies and practices.
The Big Cities Network is possible through CIRGH’s position within the Global Society on Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health (see below). As part of the Big Cities Network, CIRGH is developing a discussion panel webinar around the research question how different large urban cities responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and what lessons can be learned for both epidemic outbreak in urban centers and for future pandemics. In addition, CIRGH recently published a systematic review of the protective and harmful factors of big cities on migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic. Read the full article here.
The Global Society on Migration, Ethnicity, Race and Health (GSMERH) partners with researchers and centers from a variety of disciplines, compiling evidence of inequity, disseminating information, and advocating for change. Founded in 2020, this society integrates global partnerships and advances in academic, professional, and community work related to the promotion of equity and diversity. By partnering with researchers and centers from a variety of disciplines, compiling evidence of migrant’s inequity, disseminating information, and advocating for change, GSMERH’s main goal is to promote policies and practices that prevent, protect, and improve the health of migrants and minimize difference between ethnic/racial groups.
As part of the GSMERH, CIRGH serves on the International Council, advising the Board on its strategy and programming, sharing information and ideas, promoting the Society’s activities and expanding its networks and communication channels. CIRGH is also involved in actively connecting young and early-career researchers from the society to facilitate a “young researcher’s”-track at the society’s upcoming conferences.
CIRGH aims to design and implement a multi-city study exploring intersectional aspects of migrants’ health. The aim of this study is to collaborate with researchers from other urban areas from different geographical regions to explore the same research question in the respective cities. All participating researchers would apply the same methodologies (preferably mixed-methods) in their respective communities. By collecting data with identical approaches and methodologies across different cities, we envision to gain a more in-depth understanding into urban migrants’ experience and health across a variety of regions. Furthermore, we hope to understand more distinctions between different urban centers and how these can be used to mitigate the health of migrants in other urban areas.
To bring this research to life, we are currently seeking researchers from other cities for collaboration. If you are interested, please contact us via email at cirgh@sph.cuny.edu.
