TY - JOUR
T1 - Impact of COVID-19 on the Research Career Advancement of Health Equity Scholars from Diverse Backgrounds
AU - Báez, Adriana
AU - Idris, Muhammed Y.
AU - Lawson, Kimberly
AU - Mubasher, Mohamed
AU - Strekalova, Yulia
AU - Green, Keith
AU - Pemu, Priscilla
AU - Stiles, Jonathan K.
AU - Salazar, Martiza
AU - Quarshie, Alexander
AU - Caplan, Lee S.
AU - Alema-Mensah, Ernest
AU - Pearson, Thomas
AU - Faupel-Badger, Jessica
AU - Engler, Jeffrey A.
AU - Ofili, Elizabeth O.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2023 by the authors.
PY - 2023/3
Y1 - 2023/3
N2 - The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly taxed scientific research and seems to have exacerbated existing inequities within the research field, particularly for early-stage investigators (ESIs). This study examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on traditionally underrepresented ESIs enrolled in an NIH-supported study evaluating the effectiveness of developmental networks, grant writing coaching, and mentoring on research career advancement. The survey consisted of 24 closed-ended (quantitative) and 4 open-ended questions (qualitative) linked to a participant’s ability to meet grant submission deadlines, research and professional development disruptions, stress level, career transition level, self-efficacy and management of scholarly tasks, and familial responsibilities. Results from 32 respondents (53%) suggest that COVID-19 adversely impacted the continuity of research (81%) and grant submissions (63%). On average, grant submissions were delayed by 6.69 months (i.e., greater than one grant cycle). We also conducted additional analyses characterizing nonresponse and found that there were no significant predictors of nonresponse, indicating a limited threat to the validity of our findings. The disruption caused by COVID-19 to the careers of ESIs from underrepresented groups in the biomedical workforce has been profound in the short term. The long-term consequences to the future success of these groups are unknown but is a worthwhile area of research and potential innovation.
AB - The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly taxed scientific research and seems to have exacerbated existing inequities within the research field, particularly for early-stage investigators (ESIs). This study examines the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on traditionally underrepresented ESIs enrolled in an NIH-supported study evaluating the effectiveness of developmental networks, grant writing coaching, and mentoring on research career advancement. The survey consisted of 24 closed-ended (quantitative) and 4 open-ended questions (qualitative) linked to a participant’s ability to meet grant submission deadlines, research and professional development disruptions, stress level, career transition level, self-efficacy and management of scholarly tasks, and familial responsibilities. Results from 32 respondents (53%) suggest that COVID-19 adversely impacted the continuity of research (81%) and grant submissions (63%). On average, grant submissions were delayed by 6.69 months (i.e., greater than one grant cycle). We also conducted additional analyses characterizing nonresponse and found that there were no significant predictors of nonresponse, indicating a limited threat to the validity of our findings. The disruption caused by COVID-19 to the careers of ESIs from underrepresented groups in the biomedical workforce has been profound in the short term. The long-term consequences to the future success of these groups are unknown but is a worthwhile area of research and potential innovation.
KW - COVID-19
KW - developmental networks
KW - early-stage investigators
KW - grant writing coaching
KW - mentoring
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85151108796&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.3390/ijerph20064750
DO - 10.3390/ijerph20064750
M3 - Article
C2 - 36981658
AN - SCOPUS:85151108796
SN - 1661-7827
VL - 20
JO - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
JF - International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
IS - 6
M1 - 4750
ER -