Giving Compass' Take:

• Here are a couple of ways scientists are reimagining research culture during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

• How can donors help streamline research processes during this time? 

• Learn more about innovating research during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

COVID-19 is transforming every aspect of society – and research is no exception. But how can we use what we’ve learned in the past six months to build a better research culture?

With scientists facing the same disruption as many other sectors due to COVID-19, science has also been thrown into the spotlight as our exit strategy from the pandemic.

This focus has shone a new light on research culture. Rather than slipping back into old habits or making incremental changes, we must use this opportunity to build on the fundamentals of good research culture and reimagine the way we work.

Here are some of the things we’ve learned so far.

  • Global collaboration is on the rise Since the start of the outbreak, scientists have embraced new ways of working – sharing ideas and data at an unprecedented rate to answer the most pressing questions about COVID-19.
  • Researchers’ contributions must be assessed fairly Building a better research culture means overhauling the way we think about reward and recognition – the pandemic has only made this clearer. The metrics used to assess researchers don’t tell the whole story of what, and how, they contribute.
  • In both crisis and opportunity, good leadership is vital Radical change requires effective leadership. The pandemic has given research leaders everywhere a chance to step up.

Read the full article about how COVID-19 research is changing by Ben Bleasdale at Wellcome.