Overview
The Workshop on Community Engagement to Build Trust in Science and Enhance Environmental Epidemiology Cancer Research is a one-day virtual workshop taking place on August 24, 2026.
Convened by the National Cancer Institute (NCI), the workshop brings together leaders in environmental epidemiology, cancer research, behavioral science, and community engagement to examine how community engagement can reduce cancer risk related to environmental exposures and strengthen trust in science.
Background
A significant portion of cancers are attributable to environmental risk factors. While some carcinogens are associated with avoidable lifestyle behaviors, many exposures, such as air pollution, contaminants in drinking water and food, and chemicals in occupational settings, are difficult to avoid.
NIH has a long-standing interest in understanding environmental contributors to cancer risk. The NCI- and NIEHS-supported Cohorts for Environmental Exposures and Cancer Risk (CEECR) are one example of an active program with a strong community engagement component. Meaningful community engagement improves the relevance and success of environmental cancer research and plays a critical role in building and sustaining trust in science.
Workshop Goals
This workshop will:
- Examine the role of community engagement in environmental cancer epidemiology
- Explore how engagement strategies support trust-building across communities and successful recruitment into epidemiologic cohorts
- Identify best practices to sustain trust, recruitment, and participant retention in environmental epidemiology cancer research
Committee Members
- Behnoosh Momin, DrPH, MS, MPH, Program Director, Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS), National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Somdat Mahabir, PhD, MS, MPH, Program Director, DCCPS, NCI
- Amanda Acevedo, PhD, Program Director, Behavioral Research Program, DCCPS, NCI
- Leah E. Mechanic, PhD, MPH, Program Director, DCCPS, NCI
- Raven Hardy Richard, PhD, Health Science Policy Analyst, Office of Research on Women's Health, Office of the Director, Division of Program Coordination, Planning, and Strategic Initiatives, NIH
Accessibility
If you require special arrangements or reasonable accommodations to fully participate in this meeting, please contact Jennifer.Schaefer@icfnext.com at least 5 business days before the meeting to discuss your needs.
Questions
For questions regarding the workshop content, please contact NCIEpiCommunications@mail.nih.gov.