Impact of COVID-19 Pandemic on the Faculty, Postdoctoral and Graduate Students Research and Scholarship Activity

• In Event: Research on Faculty Teaching, Evaluation, and Development

Abstract

This project aims to explore the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on research and scholarship of faculty, postdoctoral and graduate students at a rural research university in the northeastern United States. The data of the study is 408 responses to a 28-question survey with qualitative and quantitative components. The analysis of the responses is informed by constant-comparative and frequency analysis. The findings show most participants reported reduced productivity (78%), primarily due to increased work responsibilities, and limited access to the research field. The findings also explain how some faculty or graduate students made adaptations (e.g., new research collaborations) for increased or sustained productivity. We suggest these findings can help administrators to attend to the needs of researchers for high productivity.

Authors

• Asli Sezen-Barrie, National Science Foundation

• Lisa Carter, University of Maine

• Sean Smith, University of Maine

• Deborah Saber, University of Maine

• Mark Wells, University of Maine