Event Highlights
A gathering of community leaders, researchers, and residents at the ExCITe Center.
A gathering of community leaders, researchers, and residents at the ExCITe Center.
On April 3, 2025, the Promise Zone Research Connection (PZRC) hosted its inaugural West Philly Research Day at the ExCITe Center in West Philadelphia. This event marked a critical moment for fostering trust and collaboration between research institutions and community members in West Philadelphia. With a focus on addressing ethical shortcomings in community-placed research, the event brought together local leaders, researchers, and residents to discuss ways to ensure research practices benefit the community.
Opening Remarks: Caleila Burrell, Project Coordinator of PZRC, welcomed participants and set the stage for the day’s discussions. Allison Rusgo, a key supporter of PZRC and advocate for community-engaged research, highlighted the organization’s accomplishments, including the establishment of the Community Research Review Board.
Keynote Address: Dr. Amy Carroll-Scott, Chair of Community Health & Prevention at Drexel University, spoke on the importance of integrating community ethics into research practices. She emphasized that ethical research not only requires community involvement but also addresses historical mistrust.
Panel Discussion: Titled ‘Research in West Philadelphia: Perspectives from the Community and Research Partners,’ the panel featured community members and researchers who discussed building meaningful partnerships to ensure research serves local interests. Panelists included Rita Nelson, Christina Brown, Hyden Terrell, and Hilena Addis.
Audience Engagement: The session included audience Q&A, where community members voiced the need for transparency from research institutions and highlighted the importance of co-creation.
Networking and Collaboration: The event concluded with networking sessions where participants discussed future projects and exchanged contact information to foster ongoing collaborations.
1. Ethical research requires community involvement at every stage, from planning to dissemination.
2. Transparency and active engagement from researchers build long-lasting trust.
3. Collaborations between research institutions and local organizations ensure that research outcomes benefit the community.
Special thanks to our sponsors: The Barra Foundation, Drexel University Dornsife School of Public Health, Drexel University College of Nursing and Health Professions, and Drexel University’s Office of University and Community Partnerships.