Our Research
In collaboration with residents from Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, Cole, and Clayton neighborhoods in Denver, Colorado, our research project aims to understand and address the disruption caused by the Central 70 highway reconstruction project and related neighborhood redevelopment.
This will be accomplished through several components of the research study from January 2021 until August 2023. We are engaging residents as community scientists to ensure the results of this study speak to the needs of the community.
Our Research
Community Air Monitoring
Every 6 months starting in January 2021, 50 residents participating in the study will use personal environmental sensors to monitor air pollution in their immediate area for 30 days. This will help us understand the daily experience and exposure of residents to pollutants. The results will help inform mitigation efforts to reduce their exposure, such as study-led home improvements and suggestions for residents with identified poor indoor air quality.
Surveys
Every 6 months starting in January 2021, we will have 200 community residents complete a survey. The survey will be used to collect experiences related to construction and pollution, health and wellbeing, social connectedness, and other issues experienced by the community.
Smartphone app
Every 6 months starting in January 2021, 200 community residents will use a smartphone app developed for this project, PurEmotion, where they can report their daily experiences related to construction and pollution for 30 days. Future additions to the app development will include transportation suggestions and air quality information. Community residents have helped shape the development of this app.
Study Timeline
Study
Kick-off
Focus
Groups
Environmental
Sensors
Environmental
Sensors
Home
Retrofit
App 30 Day
Challenge
Winter
Survey
+
App 30 Day
Challenge
Summer
Survey
+
App 30 Day
Challenge
Winter
Survey
+
App 30 Day
Challenge
Summer
Survey
+
Science Camps for GESC Students
Science Camps for GESC Students
Community
Collaborator
Engagement
2021
Winter
2023
2022
Summer
Winter
Summer
Winter
Summer
2024
Community Engagement and Focus Groups
Since January 2021, we have worked with local organizations to develop our study goals, and hired residents as community connectors. Engagement with local groups will continue through the other components of the project below. Over summer 2021, we conducted focus groups with neighborhood residents to understand what issues are of concern to residents.
Youth Summer Camps
During summer 2022 and 2023, we will offer a free summer camp to local youth residents on air quality monitoring and science education. The summer camps will prioritize enrollment for study participant’s children.
All activities related to the study detailed above will include compensation for participating residents as community scientists (except for the summer camps).
If you live in Globeville, Elyria-Swansea, Cole, or Clayton,
please get involved!
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If you’d like to get in contact with a member of our research team, contact us.