Differential Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Female Graduate Students and Postdocs in the Chemical Sciences.

Abstract

Over the past two and a half years, the COVID-19 pandemic severely disrupted almost all aspects of life as people throughout the world were instructed to work-from-home. Scientific researchers, whose work is reliant on access to laboratory equipment, have been acutely impacted by these global changes. In this study, we surveyed graduate students and postdocs in the chemical sciences at a selected number of academic institutions in the United States. We found that many survey participants, especially women, experienced severely diminished research progress and increased anxiety levels during the COVID-19 pandemic. Through factor analysis and multiple regression modeling, we found that during this challenging time participants who reported greater levels of professional support also reported greater research progress and lower levels of anxiety. We also found that, although advisors and departments provide some forms of professional support, there are other types of support that students and postdocs still desire. This phenomenon is magnified for female and underrepresented minority participants, as they need greater levels of professional support and place immense value on the quality of their work environments. Based on these results, we have identified some ways in which departments and advisors can provide the needed support for their graduate students and postdocs, thereby providing timeless advice that is applicable to improving academic work conditions not only during a global pandemic but also in a postpandemic world.