Subject Matter Research Consultants | Institute on Digital Health and Innovation

The Subject Matter Research Consultants (SMRC) are part-time FSU employees who provide consultation on research study development, implementation and relevant social media trends.

Projects can include:

Reviewing and providing feedback on study design and surveys
Reviewing and providing feedback on recruitment materials and social media advertising campaigns promoting study enrollment
Providing enhancement ideas for interventions utilizing apps
Creating audio, visual, and written content for app interventions
Assisting with internal testing and monitoring intervention apps for bugs and issues
Reviewing and helping design qualitative interview guides
Assisting with data analysis such as coding qualitative interviews
Supporting dissemination efforts of research findings

Background

In 2021, when the Behavior & Technology Lab (BATLab) existed at UNC-Chapel Hill, the Youth Advisory Board and Youth Advisory Council merged, rebranded, and redefined mutually endorsed guidelines and goals. We also recognized the need to engage youth through all parts of research and as such all members were formally hired as part-time employees and given the title of Research Consultants.

Formal employment recognizes their central importance to research, allows us to better respond to evolving study needs, and offers employees extensive resources and training opportunities. This conglomerate has varying education levels and professional and lived experiences.

In October 2022, the BATLab and the Research Consultants began transitioning to Florida State University, and the Institute on Digital Health and Innovation was birthed. The IDHI continues to establish young people as more integral to research study teams and maximize professional development.

We would like to acknowledge the former staff members who led and facilitated the Youth Advisory Board (YAB) and Youth Advisory Council (YAC) at various points from 2016 – 2021 before the merge. Thank you to Karina Soni, Drew McGee, Afua Osei, and Skye Wilson. We sincerely thank them for their exemplary service.

Structure

The formation of this group is unique in that many, if any, research institutions have not yet progressed in utilizing this approach. The Institute on Digital Health and Innovation has sought out and hired young professionals that reflect the target demographic of the studies, which, in turn, enhances the projects and cultivates a reciprocal working relationship for folx from marginalized backgrounds.