The field of biological anthropology inherently involves researcher interaction with human, ancestral hominin, and non-human primate communities/populations in order to address questions pertinent to our specific subareas. An essential, though often tangential component to conducting research with/in any community, involves the process of including and engaging the local populations in study regions while translating and disseminating research findings in an accessible and sustainable way. While these modes of engagement will be undoubtedly regionally, culturally, and community-specific, there is nonetheless minimal discussion among biological anthropologists regarding outreach and how we have enhanced participant/community agency and translated scientific knowledge in our research sites. This symposium provides a forum for researchers across subdisciplines to present on the creative ways they have engaged the research communities they work in/with and furthermore, shaped opportunities that potentially empower communities to participate in and affect decisions about the research process and future research directions.