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Mehta N, Inamdar V, Puthillam A, Chunekar S, Kapoor H, Tagat A, Subramanyam D. Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) researchers in India. Wellcome Open Res 2023; 7:157. [PMID: 37636840 PMCID: PMC10457572 DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17853.2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/09/2023] [Indexed: 08/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the nationally mandated lockdown has resulted in facility closures, decreased laboratory activities, and shifting to remote working. The effects of the pandemic have spread across all professions, including academia. Hence, the present study aims to understand the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) researchers and stakeholders in India. Methods: The study employed a mixed method design. Both quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interview) methods were used to gain a comprehensive understanding on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) early career researchers (ECRs), graduate students, Heads of Institutes, suppliers of scientific equipment, funders, and other stakeholders in India. Results: A total of 618 researchers completed the survey, and 24 stakeholders were interviewed for this study. Our findings highlight the importance of institutional and social support for mental well-being and scientific productivity among researchers, especially during the pandemic. It also shows the impact of the disruptions in grant disbursals on research activities of scientists. Further, the gendered impact between these relationships was also noted, all of which hint at a need for structured reform within STEM. Conclusions: The study highlights the various challenges faced by early career researchers, and STEM scientists at various positions in their careers during the COVID-19 restrictions in India.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nikita Mehta
- Department of Psychology, Monk Prayogshala, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400072, India
| | - Vedika Inamdar
- Department of Sociology, Monk Prayogshala, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400072, India
| | - Arathy Puthillam
- Department of Psychology, Monk Prayogshala, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400072, India
| | - Shivani Chunekar
- Department of Sociology, Monk Prayogshala, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400072, India
| | - Hansika Kapoor
- Department of Psychology, Monk Prayogshala, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400072, India
| | - Anirudh Tagat
- Department of Economics, Monk Prayogshala, Mumbai, Maharashtra, 400072, India
| | - Deepa Subramanyam
- National Centre for Cell Science, SP Pune University, Pune, Maharashtra, 411007, India
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Williams CS, Rathmell WK, Carethers JM, Harper DM, Lo YMD, Ratcliffe PJ, Zaidi M. A global view of the aspiring physician-scientist. eLife 2022; 11:79738. [PMID: 36098684 PMCID: PMC9470153 DOI: 10.7554/elife.79738] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Physician-scientists have epitomized the blending of deep, rigorous impactful curiosity with broad attention to human health for centuries. While we aspire to prepare all physicians with an appreciation for these skills, those who apply them to push the understanding of the boundaries of human physiology and disease, to advance treatments, and to increase our knowledge base in the arena of human health can fulfill an essential space for our society, economies, and overall well-being. Working arm in arm with basic and translational scientists as well as expert clinicians, as peers in both groups, this career additionally serves as a bridge to facilitate the pace and direction of research that ultimately impacts health. Globally, there are remarkable similarities in challenges in this career path, and in the approaches employed to overcome them. Herein, we review how different countries train physician-scientists and suggest strategies to further bolster this career path.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher S Williams
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, United States.,Veterans Health Administration, Nashville, United States
| | - W Kimryn Rathmell
- Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, United States
| | - John M Carethers
- Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan School of Medicine, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - Diane M Harper
- Michigan Institute for Clinical and Health Research, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, United States
| | - Y M Dennis Lo
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Peter J Ratcliffe
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, United Kingdom.,Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, University of Oxford, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Mone Zaidi
- Center for Translational Medicine and Pharmacology, and Department of Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, United States
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Mehta N, Inamdar V, Puthillam A, Chunekar S, Kapoor H, Tagat A, Subramanyam D. Assessing the impact of COVID-19 on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) researchers in India. Wellcome Open Res 2022. [DOI: 10.12688/wellcomeopenres.17853.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and the nationally mandated lockdown has resulted in facility closures, decreased laboratory activities, and shifting to remote working. The effects of the pandemic have spread across all professions, including academia. Hence, the present study aims to understand the extent of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) researchers and stakeholders in India. Methods: The study employed a mixed method design. Both quantitative (survey) and qualitative (interview) methods were used to gain a comprehensive understanding on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) early career researchers (ECRs), graduate students, Heads of Institutes, suppliers of scientific equipment, funders, and other stakeholders in India. Results: A total of 618 researchers completed the survey, and 24 stakeholders were interviewed for this study. Our findings highlight the importance of institutional and social support for mental well-being and scientific productivity among researchers, especially during the pandemic. It also shows the impact of the disruptions in grant disbursals on research activities of scientists. Further, the gendered impact between these relationships was also noted, all of which hint at a need for structured reform within STEM. Conclusions: The study highlights the various challenges faced by early career researchers, and STEM scientists at various positions in their careers during the COVID-19 restrictions in India.
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