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COVID impacts survey report

Throughout 2020-21 we have been proud of chemistry's role in the global, multidisciplinary efforts to control and eradicate Covid-19, and of those chemical scientists who have continued to make their varied contributions to keeping us healthy and safe.

While some in our community have been out in laboratories, schools, offices, universities and elsewhere, others have continued to work while staying safely at home. What has united these groups is that most have had to change the way they work, study, and live, whilst coping with an array of other challenges presented by the pandemic.

In November 2020, during the second national lockdown, the ¾ÅÖÝÓ°Ôº surveyed our UK-based members to understand the impact of Covid-19 on their work, education, and the future of the chemical sciences. Over 1,600 responded, and their responses paint a picture of the areas that chemical scientists are most concerned about as they face a second year of the impacts of a global pandemic.

Key findings

Widespread adaptation to a changed environment: In a challenging year, RSC members have worked hard to continue and adapt the way they do their jobs and to continue their learning in more difficult circumstances.
Greater concern among academics: Academics are consistently more pessimistic about the impacts of Covid-19 than their counterparts in industry and other sectors. Academics typically report having experienced worse impacts so far than people in industry, and generally predict worse impacts of Covid-19 on their work, lives and the chemical sciences.
Personal job insecurity: There is significant concern about job loss, and those who expect to be seeking a new job in the coming year are very likely to expect the pandemic to have a negative impact on their ability to find one.
Negative impacts of lab access restrictions: Restricted access to laboratories is having a negative impact on both research and education, and many in our community anticipate potential long-term impacts on the quality of scientific research and skills and career development for early career scientists.
New graduate job prospects: Undergraduates and postgraduates (particularly those completing their studies in the next year) are very likely to expect Covid-19 to have a negative impact on their ability to find future employment, with many reporting that they have not been able to access suitable practical simulations effectively as a result of teaching moving online. Undergraduates in particular are concerned about developing the skills needed for future employment.
Developing international relationships: Our community is concerned that Covid-19 may have a negative long-term impact on international scientific relationships, particularly when it comes to developing new relationships.

The chemical sciences’ contribution to the COVID-19 response

The chemical science community is playing an important role in the global response to COVID-19 - from the science of healthcare for those with the virus, to the many people whose work keeps us warm, clean and informed as we stay physically distanced.

We have started sharing #ChemVSCovid hero stories to celebrate these vital contributions. Read our first story about Ellie Laney-Bolton who is supporting the continued operation of the country’s nuclear power stations to keep our lights on, and look out for many other stories to follow here.

You can help us celebrate the chemists across the world who are making a difference by sharing your stories with us - either by e-mail, or using the hashtag #ChemVSCovid on social media. Find out more.

Supporting remote teaching and learning during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID situation means that teachers and students are working remotely, which brings a range of new challenges. On our we are offering free resources and ideas to support chemistry teachers, who are now teaching remotely. The pages also provide a range of  for students to use for independent learning.

We recognise that these exceptional circumstances impact how universities can teach the chemistry courses we accredit. We have produced guidance on running practical sessions next academic year, including to help understand the impact of adjustments on accreditation.

Keeping gender on the agenda during the COVID-19 pandemic

Our Breaking the barriers report highlighted barriers disproportionately affecting women’s retention and progression and made recommendations for action. In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we joined WISE, the campaign for gender balance in STEM, and 20 other organisations in signing a joint statement to ensure that we pool our resources in order to continue to drive gender equality – now more than ever.

Safeguarding the success of SMEs during the COVID-19 pandemic

SMEs are well placed to help combat COVID-19 but also stand to be greatly affected by it. Through the RSC EnterprisePlus scheme, we have been talking to SMEs about how their specialist skills and knowledge can be put to good use but also about their concerns for the future. We outline here key issues and actions Government can take to safeguard the success of EnterprisePlus SMEs, which we have shared and discussed with Government contacts.