Improving modelling for epidemic responses: reflections from members of the UK infectious disease modelling community on their experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic both relied and placed significant burdens on the experts involved from research and public health sectors. The sustained high pressure of a pandemic on responders, such as healthcare workers, can lead to lasting psychological impacts including acute stress disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, burnout, and moral injury, which can impact individual wellbeing and productivity. As members of the infectious disease modelling community, we convened a reflective workshop to understand the professional and personal impacts of response work on our community and to propose recommendations for future epidemic responses. The attendees represented a range of career stages, institutions, and disciplines. This piece was collectively produced by those present at the session based on our collective experiences. Key issues we identified at the workshop were lack of institutional support, insecure contracts, unequal credit and recognition, and mental health impacts. Our recommendations include rewarding impactful work, fostering academia-public health collaboration, decreasing dependence on key individuals by developing teams, increasing transparency in decision-making, and implementing sustainable work practices. Despite limitations in representation, this workshop provided valuable insights into the UK COVID-19 modelling experience and guidance for future public health crises. Recognising and addressing the issues highlighted here is crucial, in our view, for ensuring the effectiveness of epidemic response work in the future.

The Role of the Mathematical Sciences in Supporting the Covid-19 Response in Australia and New Zealand

“…Much of the work has been carried out by early career researchers (ECRs), often employed on short-term contracts. Although not the main focus of this article, consideration of the perspectives of ECRs, and the suitability of academic reward systems and funding structures for supporting the delivery of urgent policy advice have been acknowledged [42,76] and are important areas for further reflection and action.…”