FPG Experts to Speak at "Toward a Carolina Improvement Science Initiative: A Lightning Symposium"
Several FPG scientists will be among more than 45 UNC faculty members who will give "lightning" five-minute talks and/or discuss posters about their work in improvement science at a free campuswide symposium on May 19. “Toward a Carolina Improvement Science Initiative: A Lighting Symposium” brings together faculty, staff, and graduate students who are working on improvement at scale.
The event will be held at the George Watts Hill Alumni Center, from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The registration deadline is Monday, May 15.
The symposium will identify expertise in improvement science and its close cousins--design experimentation, quality improvement, and implementation science. Experts will describe research and interventions intended to foster improved results in research, teaching, and development in healthcare, education, social work, business, and beyond. Presentations are slated to address a diverse set of challenges North Carolinians face, such as the achievement gap between students from low-income and higher-income families, the shortage of living-wage jobs in the state’s rural communities, and disparities in health outcomes.
The event is a “lightning symposium” with short-form presentations, as well as an interactive poster session. FPG experts will cover a wide range of topics:
FPG associate director Desiree Murray will discuss Adapting a Clinic-Based Mental Health Program for Delivery within Elementary Schools.
FPG senior scientist emeritus Joe Sparling (left) will explain the famous Abecedarian Approach to early childhood education.
Allison Metz (right), director of FPG's National Implementation Research Network, will explore Practice Profiles: A Method for Improving Evidence in Partnership with Communities.
FPG senior research scientist Noreen Yazejian (left) will speak about Creating a Networked Community of Continuous Improvement: Strategies and Lessons Learned from Educare.
FPG advanced research scientist Kirsten Kainz (right) will address Methods for Rapid Cycle Feedback.
FPG advanced implementation specialist William Aldrige (left) will discuss Community Capacity to Scale-up an 
Evidence-Based System of Parenting & Family Support across North Carolina.
The symposium will serve as the start of a hub of activity with resources to facilitate cross-disciplinary teams at Carolina to develop education and training programs in improvement science, pursue external funding opportunities, design and test improvement tools and modalities, and conduct impactful research that has transformative potential for improvement at scale.
The College of Arts and Sciences, Eshelman School of Pharmacy, Gillings School of Global Public Health, Kenan-Flagler Business School, School of Dentistry, School of Education, School of Medicine, School of Nursing, and School of Social Work are co-sponsoring the event.
