COVID-19 and the academy: opinions and experiences of university-based scientists in the U.S.

Abstract

Much of the available evidence regarding COVID-19 effects on the scientific community in the U.S. is anecdotal and non-representative. We report findings from a based survey of university-based biologists, biochemists, and civil and environmental engineers regarding negative and positive COVID-19 impacts, respondent contributions to addressing the pandemic, and their opinions regarding COVID-19 research policies. The most common negative impact was university closures, cited by 93% of all scientists. Significant subgroup differences emerged, with higher proportions of women, assistant professors, and scientists at institutions located in COVID-19 “hotspot” counties reporting difficulties concentrating on research. Assistant professors additionally reported facing more unanticipated childcare responsibilities. Approximately half of the sample also reported one or more positive COVID-19 impacts, suggesting the importance of developing a better understanding of the complete range of impacts across all fields of science. Regarding COVID-19 relevant public policy, findings suggest divergence of opinion concerning surveillance technologies and the need to alter federal approval processes for new tests and vaccines.

Differences in self-perception of productivity and mental health among the STEMM-field scientists during the COVID-19 pandemic by sex and status as a parent: A survey in six languages

“…A few recent studies have found that some challenges due to the COVID-19 pandemic largely relate to a poor work environment, limited access to resources, new allocation of workloads, and lack of informal contact with colleagues for doctoral students and other researchers [49,50]. A survey study conducted in March 2020 targeting university-based biochemists, biologists, and civil engineers found that university closure and disruption of lab work emerged as the most negative COVID-19 impacts for the majority of participants (88-93%) [23]. Similarly, we found that a large group of our survey participants in STEMM fields experienced emerging challenges for their academic labors due to the COVID-19 pandemic.…”

“…Scores for each scale were calculated by summing the scores for the relevant subscales. The severity of depression was divided into normal (score 0-9), mild (10)(11)(12)(13), moderate (14-20), severe (21)(22)(23)(24)(25)(26)(27), and extremely severe (�28). The total anxiety score was divided into normal (0-6), mild (7)(8)(9), moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19), and extremely severe (�20).…”

“…The total anxiety score was divided into normal (0-6), mild (7)(8)(9), moderate (10)(11)(12)(13)(14), severe (15)(16)(17)(18)(19), and extremely severe (�20). The total stress score was divided in to normal (0-14), mild (15)(16)(17)(18), moderate (19)(20)(21)(22)(23)(24)(25), severe (26)(27)(28)(29)(30)(31)(32)(33), and extremely severe (�34).…”

“…The stay-athome order in many countries and states led to closure of about 90% of childcare facilities and schools by April 2020 and [13] affected the productivity among scientists especially for those who have children, and especially for those who are the primary caretakers of children [20]. Recent studies found that women usually carried a heavier load for childcare and domestic work than men and mother's increased workload for childcare during the pandemic was significantly associated with a decline in working hours in academic fields [10,[21][22][23]. Studies suggested that COVID-19 would affect retention, promotion, or tenure for male scientists but more adversely for female scientists [13].…”

Covid-19 Pandemic and the Degree of Informality of Sole Proprietor Entrepreneurship (SPE)

“…The outbreak of Covid-19 has brought in many challenges globally that has put a cold grips on almost all sectors of the global economy [17] and disrupted the business world [18]. Covid-19 pandemic has brought in unprecedented implications in informal entrepreneurial activities around the globe [19]. The informal workers and enterprises are the most affected by the Covid-19 pandemic in Africa through lockdown, social distancing and travel bans, [20].…”