scholarly journals Data from a survey on the impact of the pandemic on early-stage academics

2021 ◽  
Vol 1 ◽  
pp. 138
Author(s):  
Edyta Swider-Cios ◽  
Katalin Solymosi ◽  
Mangala Srinivas
Keyword(s):  
Young Children ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Group Leaders ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Share Data ◽  
The Impact

We would like to share data from a survey run by the Young Academy of Europe (YAE) from June to October 2020, with questions aiming to unravel the situation of early-career researchers (including early stage group leaders) working in Europe, during the COVID-19 pandemic. We were particularly interested in the impact of care activities (related to young children or other family members), and the impact of gender. We include the online survey and collected data, without identifying information. The survey is published in Nature Career Column (July, 2021) (https://www.nature.com/articles/d41586-021-01952-6).

scholarly journals Household Diversity and the Impacts of COVID-19 on Families in Portugal

2021 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rita Gouveia ◽  
Vasco Ramos ◽  
Karin Wall
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Social Needs ◽  
Family Routines ◽  
Public Authorities ◽  
The Social ◽  
Household Diversity ◽  
Probabilistic Sample ◽  
The Impact

Throughout the world, the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted family routines, relationships, projects and sociability, threatening the health, income, social cohesion, and well-being of individuals and their families. Lockdown restrictions imposed during the first wave of the pandemic challenged the theories, concepts, and methods used by family sociologists and the intersecting fields of gender and social inequality. By restricting physical interactions to co-resident family members, the household regained a privileged role as a crucial social laboratory for studying the impact of COVID-19 on family life. The difficulties encountered by individuals in maintaining and dealing with close relationships across households and geographical borders, in a context in which relational proximity was discouraged by the public authorities, exposed the linked nature of family and personal relationships beyond the limits of co-residence. The main aim of this article is to investigate the social impacts of the pandemic on different types of households during the first lockdown at an early stage of the pandemic in Portugal. Drawing on an online survey applied to a non-probabilistic sample of 11,508 households between 25 and 29 March 2020, the authors combined quantitative and qualitative methods, including bi-variate inferential statistics, cluster analysis and in-depth case studies. The article distinguishes between different household types: solo, couple with and without children, extended, friendship, lone-parent families, and intermittent arrangements, such as shared custody. A cross-tabulation of the quantitative data with open-ended responses was carried out to provide a refined analysis of the household reconfigurations brought about during lockdown. The analysis showed how pre-existing unequal structural living conditions shaped the pathways leading to household reconfiguration as families sought to cope with restrictions on mobility, social distancing norms, and other lockdown measures. The findings stress that, in dealing with a crisis, multilevel welfare interventions need to be considered if governments are to cater to the differentiated social needs and vulnerabilities faced by individuals and families.

scholarly journals Sexual violence during research: How the unpredictability of fieldwork and the right to risk collide with academic bureaucracy and expectations

2020 ◽  
Vol 40 (2) ◽  
pp. 173-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Luisa T Schneider
Keyword(s):  
Sexual Violence ◽  
Sierra Leone ◽  
Academic Writing ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Competitive Disadvantage ◽  
The Right ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Research Endeavour

In a contradictory fashion, researchers, their departments and universities simultaneously recognize the unpredictability of fieldwork experiences and outcomes and help establish a bureaucratic system of planning every component of their research. Ethnographic unpredictability and its consequences are a fact of fieldwork and it is essential that researchers and institutions are prepared to view these as part of interpretable data, to learn from them and not mask them. This article examines ethnographic unpredictability through the lens of sexual violence which I experienced during my doctoral fieldwork in Sierra Leone. I show how I redirected my research and renegotiated my position as an academic. I discuss the culture of risk and analyse the influence of neoliberalism on the university. I describe how ‘market logic’ conceptualizes unpredictability as competitive disadvantage. I show the impact that the imaginary ‘perfect academic’ has on early career researchers and the complicity of mainstream academic (re-)presentation in nourishing the image of the ‘in-control academic’ through muting personal field experiences and vulnerabilities and silencing unpredictable occurrences in academic writing. I conclude with recommendations on how personal situatedness, vulnerabilities, and transformations can be approached as factors in every research endeavour which must not pose threats to an institution’s competitive advantage.

scholarly journals Future leader to watch – Tania Martins-Marques

Biology Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (9) ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Biomedical Research ◽  
Intercellular Communication ◽  
Heart Diseases ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Cardiac Diseases ◽  
First Person ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Selection Of

ABSTRACT First Person is a series of interviews with the first authors of a selection of papers published in Biology Open, helping early-career researchers promote themselves alongside their papers. Tania Martins-Marques is first author on ‘ Connecting different heart diseases through intercellular communication’, published in BiO. Tania is a postdoc in the Faculty of Medicine, at Coimbra Institute for Clinical and Biomedical Research (iCBR), Portugal, investigating the impact of impact of proteostasis and intercellular communication derailment in cardiac diseases.

scholarly journals Bridging the digital divide with data-free platforms to reach families with young children during the COVID-19 pandemic (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Linda Marleine Richter ◽  
Sara Naomi Naicker
Keyword(s):  
South Africa ◽  
Young Children ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Survey Methodology ◽  
Immediate Feedback ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Family Outcomes ◽  
Containment Measures ◽  
Social Media Platforms ◽  
The Impact

BACKGROUND The COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures have severely affected families around the world. It is frequently assumed that digital technologies can supplement and perhaps even replace services for families. This is challenging in conditions of high device and data costs as well as poor internet provision and access, raising concerns about widening inequalities in availability of support and consequent effects on child and family outcomes. Very few studies have examined these issues, including in low- and middle-income countries. OBJECTIVE The main aim of the study was to gather data on the impact of COVID-19 on families of young children using an online survey. A secondary aim was to assess the feasibility of using a data-free online platform to conduct regular surveys and, potentially, to provide support for parents and families of young children in South Africa. METHODS We used a data-free mobile messenger platform to conduct a short digital survey of the impact of COVID-19 on caring for young children in South Africa. RESULTS More than 16,000 people consented to the short survey within 96 hours of it being launched. Respondents were predominantly from lower- and lower-middle classes, representing the majority of the population, with residential locations roughly proportionate to national patterns. Mothers comprised 70% of respondents and fathers 30%. Using RedCAP, we made aggregate findings in the form of bar graphs, available to participants to view and download once they had completed the survey. Participants were also able to download contact details for support and referral services at no cost. CONCLUSIONS Data-free survey methodology breaks new ground and demonstrates potential not previously considered. Reach is greater than achieved through phone surveys and some social media platforms, men are not usually included in parent surveys, costs are lower than phone surveys, and the technology allows for immediate feedback to respondents. These factors suggest that zero-rated services could provide a feasible, sustainable and equitable basis for ongoing interactions with families of young children.

scholarly journals Early Career Researchers’ Experiences of Post-Maternity and Parental Leave Provision in UK Politics and International Studies Departments: A Heads of Department and Early Career Researcher Survey

2020 ◽  
pp. 147892992091036
Author(s):  
Sadiya Akram ◽  
Zoe Pflaeger Young
Keyword(s):  
Parental Leave ◽  
Job Insecurity ◽  
Early Career ◽  
International Studies ◽  
Career Trajectory ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
The United Kingdom ◽  
Early Career Researcher ◽  
The University ◽  
The Impact

Supporting increasing equality and diversity in the recruitment and retention of Early Career Researchers from the widest pool of talent available is high on the agenda of universities and policy makers. Notwithstanding this, the demanding nature of academic careers has a disproportionate effect on Early Career Researchers, who may face indirect obstacles in their career development particularly following a period of maternity or parental leave. Our research seeks to expose the nexus of challenges, from job insecurity to the pressures of raising new families that Early Career Researchers face during this critical juncture in their career trajectory. Focusing on Politics and International Studies Departments in the United Kingdom, we document the institutional mechanisms that exist to support Early Career Researchers returning from maternity and parental leave through a Heads of Department and an Early Career Researcher survey to gain an understanding of needs and the impact of institutional measures. Adopting a feminist institutionalist analysis, we map gendered outcomes in the university, through formal and informal rules, which mitigate against those Early Career Researchers taking maternity and parental leave. We end by identifying specific measures which would help to ensure that the university is more supportive of Early Career Researchers taking maternity and parental leave.

scholarly journals Geomorphic response of a mountain gravel-bed river to an extreme flood in Aberdeenshire, Scotland

2020 ◽  
Vol 56 (2) ◽  
pp. 101-116
Author(s):  
Dina M. Fieman ◽  
Mikaël Attal ◽  
Stephen Addy
Keyword(s):  
Morphological Change ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Difference Threshold ◽  
Lateral Migration ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Link Type ◽  
Extreme Flood ◽  
Supplementary Material ◽  
Career Research ◽  
The Impact

This study uses the 2015 ‘Storm Frank’ flood on the River Dee, Aberdeenshire, to assess the impact of extreme events on river dynamics. The Storm Frank flood (>200 year recurrence interval) caused significant local morphological change that was concentrated in the middle portion of the 140 km long river and overall net degradation that primarily occurred through lateral adjustment processes. Although the flood did not cause widespread change in channel planform, morphological change at the reach scale (<1 km) was significant. Bank scour resulted in channel expansion and lateral migration as well as widespread aggradation on existing gravel beds. The HEC-RAS and CAESAR–Lisflood models were used to determine the impact of morphological changes from the Storm Frank flood on a series of future hypothetical floods. The results show that inundation is highly influenced by the degree of morphological change for moderate floods, but not for high magnitude ones. In-channel scour and bank erosion can lead to an increase in channel capacity, thereby decreasing inundation. Conversely, where conveyance capacity is decreased by aggradation, flood risk inherently increases. The impact of these changes was great for a five-year return period flood, but minimal for a magnitude flood comparable to that of Storm Frank. Our modelling results also reveal that the inundation model is sensitive to the grain size and channel bed roughness input parameters, as these parameters impact flow discharge and flood hydraulics. Accurate determination of sediment parameters and degree of morphological change is therefore critical in flooding modelling and flood hazard management.Supplementary material: Peak discharge and rainfall during the 2015 Storm Frank storm, parameters used in the hydrological model CAESAR–Lisflood and sediment budget statistics of each DEM of difference threshold are available at: https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.c.4847946Thematic collection: This article is part of the Early Career Research collection available at: https://www.lyellcollection.org/cc/SJG-early-career-research

scholarly journals PRESIDENTIAL SYMPOSIUM: MULTIDISCIPLINARY EMERGING PERSPECTIVES ON BUILDING AND MAINTAINING NETWORKS IN AGING.

2019 ◽  
Vol 3 (Supplement_1) ◽  
pp. S559-S559
Author(s):  
Darina V Petrovsky ◽  
Jamie N Justice
Keyword(s):  
Research Policy ◽  
Social Research ◽  
Nursing Home Residents ◽  
State Level ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Transcriptional Networks ◽  
Policy And Practice ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
The Impact

Abstract This ESPO Presidential Symposium features a multidisciplinary perspective and recent scientific advances made by early career researchers from each of the GSA scientific sections. They will provide examples of how their work is addressing ways to build and maintain networks in aging and gerontological workforce. These talks will span research on the age-associated transcriptional networks (Biological Sciences, Kulkarni), enhancing care for persons with dementia using a professional healthcare network (Health Sciences, Kovaleva), ways to maintain care networks in nursing home residents (Behavioral and Social Sciences, Kennedy), exploring the impact of social isolation in older adults on the Autism Spectrum (Social Research, Policy, and Practice, Waldron) and reflections on a project that linked aging education and student involvement within the aging network at the state level (Academy for Gerontology in Higher Education, Stephenson). These talks will demonstrate the diversity of aims, strategies, methodologies, and tools employed across disciplines. In addition, these early career researchers will share how they use networks in their own disciplines to advance their science with the goal of building an independent program of research. We will conclude with a discussion on ways to identify synergies across different fields and promote strategies for successful cross-discipline collaboration.

scholarly journals Psychological Responses According to Gender during the Early Stage of COVID-19 in Spain

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3731
Author(s):  
Lucía del Río-Casanova ◽  
Milagrosa Sánchez-Martín ◽  
Ana García-Dantas ◽  
Anabel González-Vázquez ◽  
Ania Justo
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Online Survey ◽  
Linear Models ◽  
Mental Health Problems ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Psychological Responses ◽  
Impact Of Event Scale ◽  
Event Scale ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
The Impact

Background: Current research has pointed out an increased risk of mental health problems during the COVID-19 pandemic in women compared to men, however the reason for this difference remains unclear. The aim of this research is to study early psychological responses to the pandemic in the Spanish general population, focusing on gender differences. Methods: Nine to 14 days after the declaration of a state of emergency an online survey was conducted assessing sociodemographic, health, behavioral and COVID-19-related variables. Mental health status was evaluated by the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale (DASS-21), the Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R), and the Self-Care Scale (SCS). Results: The study included 3520 respondents: 2611 women and 909 men. Women scored significantly higher in DASS-21 and IES-R (p < 0.05) and were more likely to somatize, suffer from hypochondriasis, sleeping disturbances and claustrophobia (p < 0.05). Being a woman can be considered a risk factor for intrusive thoughts, avoidance mechanisms, stress and anxiety (Odd Ratio = 2.7/2.3/2.3/1.6). The risk of presenting posttraumatic symptoms and emotional distress was greater in women (Odd Ratio = 6.77/4.59). General linear models to predict IES-R and DASS-21 scores clarified which variables were gender specific, such as main concerns. Conclusions: This study provides evidence that at early stages of the pandemic, women mental health was more impacted and that both genders show different concerns. Gender perspective in secondary and tertiary prevention strategies must be taken into account when facing the distress associated with the pandemic.

scholarly journals Mitigating the impact of conference and travel cancellations on researchers’ futures

eLife ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tracey Weissgerber ◽  
Yaw Bediako ◽  
Charlotte M de Winde ◽  
Hedyeh Ebrahimi ◽  
Florencia Fernández-Chiappe ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Public Health ◽  
Working Conditions ◽  
Research Funding ◽  
Scientific Community ◽  
Unintended Consequences ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Do So

The need to protect public health during the current COVID-19 pandemic has necessitated conference cancellations on an unprecedented scale. As the scientific community adapts to new working conditions, it is important to recognize that some of our actions may disproportionately affect early-career researchers and scientists from countries with limited research funding. We encourage all conference organizers, funders and institutions who are able to do so to consider how they can mitigate the unintended consequences of conference and travel cancellations and we provide seven recommendations for how this could be achieved. The proposed solutions may also offer long-term benefits for those who normally cannot attend conferences, and thus lead to a more equitable future for generations of researchers.

scholarly journals The impact of the pandemic on early career researchers: what we already know from the internationally published literature

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eti Herman ◽  
David Nicholas ◽  
Anthony Watkinson ◽  
Blanca Rodríguez-Bravo ◽  
Abdullah Abrizah ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Higher Education ◽  
Work Life ◽  
Early Career ◽  
Pertinent Literature ◽  
Early Career Researchers ◽  
Research Activities ◽  
Analytic Review ◽  
Scholarly Communications ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Development Prospects

In order to take account of the impact of the pandemic on the already changing scholarly communications and work-life of early career researchers (ECRs), the 4-year long Harbingers study was extended for another two years. As a precursor to the study (featuring interviews and a questionnaire survey), currently underway, an analytic review of the pertinent literature was undertaken and its results are presented here. The review focuses on the challenges faced by ECRs and how these compare to the ones more senior researchers have to tackle. In the examination of the literature three general questions are posed: Q1) What are the identifiable and forthcoming impacts of the pandemic-induced financial pressures felt in the Higher Education sector on ECRs’ employment and career development prospects? Q2) What are the identifiable and forthcoming pandemic-associated disruptions in the pace/focus/direction of the research undertaking? Have any disruptions been predicted to exert an impact on ECRs’ research activities, and if so, with what scholarly consequences? Q3) How is the work-life of ECRs shaping up under the virus-dictated rules of the ‘new normal’ in the research undertaking? What challenges, if any, arise from the changes in practices identified, and what might their potential consequences be for ECRs? The broad conclusion of the study is that the literature leaves little room for doubt: junior researchers are already disproportionally affected by and bear the burden of the ongoing pandemic-incurred hardships and they are likely to remain similarly impacted when more trials, still unfolding, materialise.

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