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Impacts of COVID-19 on Research Productivity: Disruptions to the Pipeline for Early Career Researchers

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  • Elizabeth A. Moschella-Smith

    (Prevention Innovations Research Center, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NC 03824, USA)

  • Sharyn J. Potter

    (Prevention Innovations Research Center, University of New Hampshire, Durham, NC 03824, USA)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in productivity losses, particularly for early career researchers (ECRs) who do not have the same track record as their non-ECR colleagues. Therefore, the purpose of the current study was to examine differences in time allocation and research productivity outcomes between ECRs and non-ECRs at a Carnegie Classification R1 University in the United States. We quantitatively and qualitatively examined differences in time allocation (i.e., research, teaching) and research productivity outcomes (e.g., peer-reviewed publications), as well as pandemic-related challenges, between ECRs and non-ECRs over three time periods: pre-pandemic, year one of the pandemic, and the first eight months of year two of the pandemic. Compared to non-ECRs, ECRs reported significantly more time spent on research, less time on teaching, fewer peer-reviewed publications, and fewer funding proposal submissions during the pandemic. Qualitative data revealed three broad categories of pandemic-related challenges: tangible (e.g., research delays), intangible (e.g., mental health), and long-term impacts on career trajectory (e.g., delayed promotion). The implications for future research and for universities looking to mitigate adverse impacts of the pandemic for ECRs are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Elizabeth A. Moschella-Smith & Sharyn J. Potter, 2024. "Impacts of COVID-19 on Research Productivity: Disruptions to the Pipeline for Early Career Researchers," Social Sciences, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-19, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jscscx:v:13:y:2024:i:11:p:595-:d:1513046
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Kyle R. Myers & Wei Yang Tham & Yian Yin & Nina Cohodes & Jerry G. Thursby & Marie C. Thursby & Peter Schiffer & Joseph T. Walsh & Karim R. Lakhani & Dashun Wang, 2020. "Unequal effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on scientists," Nature Human Behaviour, Nature, vol. 4(9), pages 880-883, September.
    2. Susan S. Fleming & Alyssa W. Goldman & Shelley J. Correli & Catherine J. Taylor, 2016. "Settling in: The Role of Individual and Departmental Tactics in the Development of New Faculty Networks," The Journal of Higher Education, Taylor & Francis Journals, vol. 87(4), pages 544-572, July.
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