By: Dr. Priska Stahel, ORT Times Science Writer
Research trainees face uncertainty regarding the future of their research projects as the shutdown of non-essential research at the University Health Network (UHN) continues. COVID-19 has caused significant disruptions to the ability to conduct hands-on research, attend conferences and engage in skill development. While a global pandemic is a particularly stark example of a research disruption, trainees may experience other disruptions during their studies.
Sources of interference may include funding deficiencies, supply shortages or delays with collaborators. There may be interruptions related to personal circumstances, such as parental leave or caring for a sick relative. How can trainees best manage these disruptions to maximize positive outcomes and minimize negative impacts?
Dr. Erin Mulvihill, Assistant Professor of Medicine at the University of Ottawa, recommends two strategies for maintaining productivity, based on her experiences with two maternity leaves during her Post-Doctoral Fellowship at UHN. First, she recommends frequent discussions with lab members around science-related and non-related topics. This is important to remain engaged with research and maintain social connections essential for mental wellbeing. Second, she recommends setting an achievable goal each day to move your research forward. On some days that goal may be to write several pages, while on other days it may only be to write a few paragraphs or sentences.
Dr. Mulvihill says, “The important thing is to make sure to accomplish something small or large towards your research training every day. This will help from feeling overwhelmed at the moments when you are unable to be at your most productive.”
Many tasks are de-prioritized when trainees are engaged in hands-on research projects. The downtime caused by COVID-19 is an opportunity to prepare your thesis or manuscript. You may find that you have generated sufficient data for publication and can prepare your manuscript earlier than originally planned. While you may not be able to generate additional data, your project may benefit from incorporating publicly available databases such as the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) or genetic data from the UK Biobank.
Alternatively, you could focus on reviewing pertinent literature to prepare your thesis or review article or to develop new research proposals. Principal Investigators may have more time to consider novel ideas and collaborations to pursue once research activities resume. Exploring new partnerships or reconnecting with established collaborators could provide fruitful ground for developing new ideas. This can also be an opportunity to strengthen networking and leadership skills which are normally fostered through conferences and in-person meetings.
You may also want to use this time to develop other competencies and skillsets. Coursera, Udemy and other online platforms offer University-level courses on specific research techniques and data analysis methods that could benefit your current studies as well as your future career.
Making the most of research disruptions is a challenge for all whether the disruption is anticipated or not. Maintaining social connections, staying engaged with the latest science and sustaining progress towards your goals will be highly beneficial to minimize negative impacts of prolonged research disruptions.