Equity in science education and disseminations: lessons learned during COVID-19 pandemics

Abstract

Scientific activities including university classes, wet lab research activities, fieldwork, and seminars/conferences have been cancelled in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemics. While the public health priority was to contain and mitigate the outbreak, the science sector swiftly adopted technologies to stay connected and continue the scientific activities as much as possible. Creativity, ingenuity, and resilience abound in the science community manifested in successful examples of truly global activities such as seminar series and conferences. While these platforms were initially concerned with maintaining the continuum of science education and dissemination, they attracted participants beyond the boundaries of their respective institutions and countries and thereby increased the equity. While the communities and countries are easing the societal restrictions and the scientific community returns to on-site work, it is important to learn the lessons and ensure equity in science education and dissemination moving forward.

II Luso-Brazilian Seminar on Scientific Dissemination: Strategies and Reach Analysis to Science Dissemination before and during COVID-19 Pandemic

“…The "distance learning" or "home-based distance learning" requires a quiet and comfortable workspace equipped with technological devices and internet connection. However, the reality presented in Brazil and many other countries is an increasing economic disparity that doesn't allow every child to have a device and/or an internet connection (Petretto, Masala, & Masala, 2020;Yousefi, Abdollahzadeh, & Moossavi, 2020).…”

“…Besides, living in a busy or abusive house could also impact negatively the students' ability to engage in academic activities (Petretto, Masala, & Masala, 2020;Yousefi, Abdollahzadeh, & Moossavi, 2020). According to Armitage and Nellum (2020), research on the Ebola epidemic from 2014 to 2016 revealed that school closures during this period resulted in increased school dropouts, child labor, violence against children as well as higher pregnant adolescents.…”