The impact of Covid-19 on research into work and health

Background The global coronavirus (Covid-19) pandemic created a profound disruption to the delivery of planned scientific research with unknown immediate and potentially longer-term impacts. Aims We explored researchers' experiences of the impact of the pandemic on the continued development and delivery of research into work and health, and on research infrastructure in this field. Methods A cross-sectional study. Results Thirty-three questionnaires were completed, representing a response rate of 15%. Sixty-one per cent of respondents were female, the majority (78%) had over 11 years of research experience and 76% worked mainly in academia. Most respondents (88%) were able to progress with research during the pandemic. A small proportion (4%) had studies paused or suspended due to the pandemic, while a larger proportion (19%) had research staff redeployed to assist with other studies or furloughed. Respondents described a range of emerging practical and logistical issues for research into work and health during the pandemic. Some benefited from increased opportunities to collaborate on new multidisciplinary studies, opportunities to engage participants in work and health research, and more flexible and inclusive work practices. Others experienced challenges that had an adverse impact, such as hampering research delivery (e.g. barriers to participant screening and intervention delivery), poor (home) working environments, reduced team cohesion and isolation. A range of future priorities for research was highlighted. Conclusions We describe lessons learned and opportunities that can be used to support or further research activities in the field of work and health research in the future. The Covid-19 pandemic had a significant impact on research activity across many disciplines and diverse areas of health and medical research. It also provided opportunities for researchers to explore new and novel areas of research beyond traditional areas of interest. This study explored the impact specifically on work and health research planning and delivery, and proposes future research priorities which are likely to follow as we emerge into an endemic world.