Abstract
Government imposed lockdown measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in widespread laboratory closures. This study aimed to examine the impact of this disruption on graduate students and postdoctoral fellows completing laboratory-based research in Canada. We used an anonymous online survey and semi-structured interviews to document the experiences of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows during laboratory closures and following the transition to working from home. We employed a mixed-method approach using survey and interview data to identify shared experiences, concerns, and supports. The emotions reported by respondents at different points during laboratory closures align with the Kübler-Ross model of grief following change. Respondents describe closure processes as chaotic and confusing, primarily resulting from inconsistent communication. Respondents reported increased indications of distress while working from home. Concerns about how COVID-19 might impact trainees were identified, including decreasing competitiveness of applicants while limiting future employment opportunities. Finally, we outline five types of supports that can be implemented by supervisors and administrators to support graduate students and postdoctoral fellows to return to the laboratory. Overall, we document shared experiences of respondents during the COVID-19 laboratory shutdown and identify areas of improvement in the event widespread laboratory closures occur in the future.
Highlights
In spring 2020, researchers worldwide experienced an unprecedented wave of laboratory closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic
This study aimed to examine the impact of this disruption on graduate students and postdoctoral fellows completing laboratory-based research in Canada
We have documented the experiences of graduate students and postdoctoral fellows conducting laboratory-based research during the COVID-19 research shutdown
Summary
In spring 2020, researchers worldwide experienced an unprecedented wave of laboratory closures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Research laboratories have had emergency shutdowns following natural disasters before, such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes [2,3,4,5]. These shutdowns differ from the COVID-19 laboratory shutdown on two key factors. Most natural disasters are geographically contained, as opposed to impacting a worldwide population. Following a hurricane or earthquake, researchers can begin to make plans for what is necessary to reopen. Closures due to COVID19 did not come with this timescale, with many not knowing when they will be able to return to pre-COVID level operating capacity
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