The Implementation Science Collaborative (ISC)
From 2016 to 2025, the CUNY SPH & CIRGH served as a global anchor for the Implementation Science Collaborative, supported by USAID’s Health Evaluation and Applied Research Development (HEARD) Project and its implementing partners. Through this collaboration, CIRGH advanced the application of implementation science to improve health interventions and strengthen evidence use across projects and programs. Although the HEARD Project has concluded, the implementation science learning and partnerships it fostered continue through ongoing collaborative efforts.
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:
Informed by the global multi-city study on migrant health, the Global Research Network on Migrants in Big Cities 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.
As part of the network, CIRGH conducted a discussion panel to understand how different large urban cities responded to the COVID-19 pandemic and what lessons were learned for both epidemic outbreak in urban centers and for future pandemics. As part of this effort, CIRGH published a systematic review of the protective and harmful factors of big cities on migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic as well as a policy brief that explores how urban areas mitigate and/or exacerbate the impact of COVID-19 on migrant groups.
In 2024, the network conducted its first roundtable with migrant researchers from around the world. This roundtable focused on advancing participatory approaches in global migrant research. Some of the themes highlighted during this discussion were the need to amplify migrant community voices and the use of community-led direction. You can 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.
