Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Why air sensors? What do they do and how it is beneficial?
Low-cost air sensors are devices that detect and measure air pollutants, like particulate matter. As technology has improved these devices have become more affordable and provide users with the capability to measure air pollution in their neighborhoods and homes.. You can learn more about air sensors from the Environmental Protective Agency (EPA).
What is the RISE Communities program?
The Research Innovations using Sensor Technology in Environmental Justice Communities, or RISE Communities program consists of 3 main components: 1) an intensive summer session located on the campuses of the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center in Cincinnati, Ohio designed to provide training and team building for community-academic research teams with an interest in monitoring air quality using sensor technology, 2) monthly webinars participants will attend for at least 1 year, or longer if they wish for continued engagement across RISE Communities cohorts, and 3) an interactive website to facilitate continued interaction and serve as a repository and resource for participants.
The program is funded by a National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences Grant and is a partnership between the Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center Division of Biostatistics and Epidemiology and the University of Cincinnati Department of Family and Community Medicine.
Who should participate in the RISE Communities program?
Participation in RISE Communities will require a research team that includes at least one member from an academic institution and an environmental justice community partner.
This program is aimed at teams of researchers and community partners who either:
1) have an established record of CEnR, sensor technology research, or environmental health and justice research, or
2) are pursuing new research projects in this space.
Each research team should be comprised of no fewer than two individuals: one whose primary professional role is faculty at an academic institution and one who has a community organization appointment or is a community member. Pre- or post-doctoral trainees may also be considered as a third member on a research team depending on funding availability. The faculty team member should have a terminal degree (e.g., PhD, MD, ScD, DrPH), but there are no minimum degree requirements for the community team member.
How much does it cost to participate in the RISE Communities program?
All costs for the training, including air travel, lodging and meals will be provided to the research team. Each team will also receive FREE PurpleAir PA-IISD Air Quality Monitors to establish low-cost monitoring networks in their communities, share data, and view monitoring results from around the world.
When and where does the RISE Communities program occur?
The RISE Communities program takes place each summer in early August beginning in 2023. All programming will occur on the campuses of the University of Cincinnati and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center. The 2023 RISE Communities program will take place on Wednesday August 2nd - Friday August 4th, 2023 in Cincinnati, Ohio. Participants should plan on arriving the evening of Tuesday, August 1 and depart after 12pm on Friday, August 4.
My program application has been accepted and I will be attending. What do I need to do prior to the program start date?
Research teams who have had their applications accepted and will be participating in the program are required to complete the form in the button below prior to the program start date. This form includes the template for the introductory slideshow to be presented on Day 1 regarding your community and project. Presentations for each team will be about 10 minutes.
Contact the Program Manager with any questions at any time:
Daniel Hargraves, MSW
Email: daniel.hargraves@uc.edu