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Over the past two weeks I've been interviewing dozens of bioscientists who have suddenly pivoted to COVID-19 research. Here are the key issues and themes emerging from these conversations (1/n)
Groups of researchers across many disciplines have spontaneously self-organised to develop all sorts of COVID-19 based projects, often before their institutions, public health bodies or Government prompted them to. https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19/189-biologist/biologist-covid-19/2337-i-don-t-think-the-department-has-ever-locked-its-doors-in-its-200-year-history
The scale of the outbreak + cheap/fast sequencing + pre-print servers + online media has created an unprecedented deluge of info and data, and groups have had to quickly develop new ways to collate resources and get their work seen by those who need to see it.
For example the @LSHTM is using Masters students to triage case reports, others are publishing open Google docs, many are using Twitter, Slack, and the press in ways they didn't before. https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19/189-biologist/biologist-covid-19/2326-it-s-about-being-about-right-now-rather-than-perfectly-right-too-late
There is a concern that amid this deluge, poor quality data, press releases and state briefings are being reported as fact and may even be altering the direction of public policy https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19/189-biologist/biologist-covid-19/2335-if-all-this-emerging-data-isn-t-understood-and-interpreted-in-context-it-could-lead-to-some-really-harmful-public-policy-decision
PhDs and post-Docs are volunteering in great numbers to assist with COVID projects, but will require extra support as ongoing projects crucial to their careers are sidelined, delayed or abandoned
Despite my best efforts, the responses and comment I've received as part of this series have been disproportionately from male researchers, something echoed when you look at COVID coverage in the press more broadly.
There are likely a range of systemic reasons for this, but there is concern that female researchers are being disproportionately affected by the move to home working too.
There is also a concern that while those in specialties directly relevant to COVID-19 are busy with emergency responses, researchers in more distant and less useful fields have more time to write big COVID grant applications.
@angie_rasmussen expands on these last few points here: https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19/189-biologist/biologist-covid-19/2335-if-all-this-emerging-data-isn-t-understood-and-interpreted-in-context-it-could-lead-to-some-really-harmful-public-policy-decision
To vastly oversimplify the funding situation: the response of funding bodies has been varied - at times chaotic, at times impressively rapid
Normal processes have been made flexible & red tape has been lifted where possible. We've heard of multi-million ££ grants awarded in 24 hours and suppliers sending equipment first and working out payment & paperwork later. https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19/189-biologist/biologist-covid-19/2329-open-cell-s-thomas-meany-on-scaling-up-open-source-covid-19-testing-assays-from-a-lab-in-a-shipping-container-to-a-dedicated-space-in-the-british-library
After a delayed start, research teams have integrated with frontline NHS clinicians or diagnostic departments, sometimes astonishingly quickly. See
https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19/189-biologist/biologist-covid-19/2328-covid-19-q-as-professor-paul-freemont and https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19/189-biologist/biologist-covid-19/2334-manchester
https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19/189-biologist/biologist-covid-19/2328-covid-19-q-as-professor-paul-freemont and https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19/189-biologist/biologist-covid-19/2334-manchester
Overall the feeling is that the research community has pulled together in an incredible way. Researchers have reacted speedily and selflessly in an "unprecedented mobilisation" of scientific effort towards a global emergency. https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19/189-biologist/biologist-covid-19/2330-the-collaborative-spirit-is-extraordinary-and-unprecedented
But, as one interviewee said, at some point "we will all have to acknowledge, across the board, that we were unprepared."
This is just the beginning of an unbelievably turbulent time for science. Charity-funded research has taken a big hit, and nobody knows how big an effect the shutdown of non-COVID research will have on research output and institutions long term. https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19/189-biologist/biologist-covid-19/2332-for-science-this-is-a-challenging-time
Research programmes may have to be abandoned in vast numbers and universities are warning of extensive cuts to come: https://www.theguardian.com/education/2020/apr/20/imperial-college-london-warns-of-cuts-in-face-of-coronavirus
As @pcicuta put it: “Life is not going to be the same...I don't think we've even begun to think about the potential impact of a second wave. More coordination & refocusing will be necessary, & people will need to be creative in identifying challenges that didn’t exist before.”
Oh, and everybody is sick of Skype and Zoom calls. Obviously. As am I!
That's about it so far - please follow me and @royalsocbio for more Q&As from across the life sciences as this crisis continues and do get in touch if you'd like to contribute to the series. https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-covid-19
