VPC Training Series

At the VPC, we are committed to fostering a culture of learning and growth. Our VPC Training Series offers a variety of specialized trainings for students, staff, faculty, health practitioners, community members, and organizations—both governmental and non-governmental. Whether you’re looking to deepen your expertise or eager to share it, we have opportunities designed just for you.

UPCOMING TRAININGS

Stay informed about upcoming sessions! Each training is carefully crafted to address timely topics and to equip participants with practical, research-backed strategies for violence prevention. Check back here regularly to register for new sessions.

Summary:
The U.S. research funding structure has undergone tremendous change. This workshop acknowledges the difficulty of the current landscape while also identifying opportunities for shifting research content, roles, and industries. Training content is derived from Dr. Cramer’s successful research agenda pivot from legal decision-making to suicide and violence prevention, interviews with scholars who made successful pivots, and a survey of desired topics to be addressed in the session. The first portion of the training guides the learner through self-assessment whether a research agenda pivot is necessary and aligned with one’s professional values. Next, with a focus on enhancing one’s credibility, the training covers 8 strategies to develop new expertise in order to make a successful pivot. Then, the session addresses 7 ways to pursue novel research funding streams. The workshop concludes guidance and lessons learned from several researchers who made successful academia-to-industry career changes. Learners receive a package of resources to facilitate decision making in the research pivot process.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, learners will be able to: 

1. Determine whether a research pivot is appropriate. 
2. Identify strategies to increase expertise in a new content area. 
3. List approaches to pursue new funding streams. 
4. Discuss considerations involved in shifting from academic to industry careers.

Who might benefit from attending?

This session is intentionally tailored for researchers of any experience level in academic or medical settings. It is also appropriate for researchers in industry settings, especially those facing challenges in the current U.S. federal funding landscape. 

Summary:
Join Dr. Taylor Scott, Executive Director of the Research Translation Platform at Penn State and President of TrestleLink, for a timely web-based training on strategies that drive the public impact of research. Drawing on her deep expertise at the intersection of science and policy, Dr. Scott will explore actionable, evidence-based methods for engaging policymakers in ways that preserve research credibility while increasing its value in public decision-making. Attendees will gain insights into tested models like the Research-to-Policy Collaboration (RPC), Family Impact Seminars (FIS), and SCOPE, and learn how to implement these strategies to meet growing funder expectations for effective, nonpartisan dissemination.

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, learners will be able to: 

1. Describe evidence-based, nonpartisan strategies for engaging policymakers. 
2. Apply models to research dissemination practice. 
3. Design policy outreach workflows that communicate research findings tailored to the needs of decision-makers. 

Who might benefit from attending?

This workshop is designed for investigators of publicly or philanthropically funded research—particularly those in leadership roles such as center directors and university administrators—who are seeking practical tools to elevate the societal relevance of their work. It’s also highly relevant for researchers navigating how to responsibly communicate findings in increasingly polarized policy environments.

PAST TRAININGS

Our past sessions have covered a variety of essential topics and have engaged participants from diverse fields. Highlights include: