PROFESSOR ANNA PEETERS Director Institute for Health Transformation, Faculty of Health, Deakin University
PROFESSOR PATRICIA LIVINGSTON Associate Dean Research, Faculty of Health, Deakin University
“Overall, 70% of researchers indicated that their research would be affected beyond 2020.”
Protecting health and medical research from COVID-19 The coronavirus and its many impacts have been felt at every level of our community. COVID-19 has highlighted the need for a rapid response, particularly from the health sector. We have also seen the way industry and the general community have pitched in to deliver swift and innovative solutions when threatened with shortages of hand sanitiser, PPE equipment and more recently facemasks, particularly in Victoria. Australia’s researchers have contributed significantly to advancing global efforts in the development of a vaccine, as well as sought to understand the impact of Covid-19 on individuals and communities. Yet the pandemic has also made research challenging. Our survey with Research Australia of 1,212 health and medical researchers across Australia, published recently in The Lancet, found 80% have been negatively affected by the
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The Health Advocate • NOVEMBER 2020
pandemic, with delays in trials and fieldwork and the delivery of equipment and supplies. The pandemic has also created an uncertain future for university and medical research institute researchers in both the short and longer term due to the loss of revenue and participation by international students, philanthropists and fundraising opportunities. Overall, 70% of researchers indicated that their research would be affected beyond 2020, with 90% reporting there would be difficulties in reaching milestones, publication outputs (81%), and sourcing new funding (63%). Nearly 50% highlighted they would also be affected by staff losses. Despite these challenges, around one-third of researchers suggested there were opportunities to increase collaborations, and have seen benefits in the extent to which they have been able to adapt and pivot new research opportunities.
