Defined broadly, participatory approaches to research can challenge and change inequity and mistrust in science, particularly when the effort reflects the diversity of publics and does not reinforce existing inequities in science, environmental decision-making, and society. These efforts are transforming investigations, for example, through the development of new monitoring tools, co-production of data, and sharing of results. This presentation will describe: (1) Participatory research and design methods to advance culturally appropriate environmental monitoring and exposure assessments, (2) Data report back and communication strategies to visualize and translate environmental health research to action, and (3) Elements of participatory research for environmental health that effectively prompt structural change in environmental justice communities. Emphasis will be placed on the equity-centered design of research methods and data sharing materials as well as the translation of research to action. Tactics for successfully sharing results to open the decision-making window include: (1) building transdisciplinary teams and datasets, (2) designing the project with decision-makers and policy goals, (3) community-first reporting, (4) data standardization and interoperability among existing community generated and governmental datasets, and (5) ensuring data report-back products serve as boundary objects for use in multiple social spheres. Together, these efforts can inform how to sustain successful partnerships, build capacity to then endure the unique set of challenges justice projects face when they strive for structural change, and help determine if and how community-level resiliencies and resistances may combat environmental health vulnerabilities.
