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Pandemic Impact on Early Career Researchers in the United States

Author

Listed:
  • David Sims
  • David Nicholas
  • Carol Tenopir
  • Suzie Allard
  • Anthony Watkinson

Abstract

This study’s research aim is to discover how the COVID-19 pandemic impacts early career researchers’ work lives, prospects, and scholarly communication behavior. Early career researchers (ECRs), including doctoral students, post-docs, and pre-tenure faculty, are the next generation of scientists, researchers, scholars, teachers, and academic leaders, and are considered “vulnerable†when compared to their more senior colleagues. Part of an eight-country study, we present findings from long semi-structured interviews of 22 ECRs within the sciences and social sciences from a variety of regions in the United States. Transcripts were approved by the participants and responses were coded into a project-approved spreadsheet for analysis. The coding sheets were multi-faceted, containing both quantitative and qualitative data. Key findings include loss of research productivity due to lab closures and/or human subject research. The most recurring negative impact is the loss of formal and informal in-person meetings. For the majority, the pandemic has not deterred ECRs to deviate from their chosen academic career paths.

Suggested Citation

  • David Sims & David Nicholas & Carol Tenopir & Suzie Allard & Anthony Watkinson, 2023. "Pandemic Impact on Early Career Researchers in the United States," SAGE Open, , vol. 13(3), pages 21582440231, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:sae:sagope:v:13:y:2023:i:3:p:21582440231194394
    DOI: 10.1177/21582440231194394
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