Environment submissions database

The pandemic caused significant operational challenges to research for the University of Leeds. During the first National lockdown, all specialised research facilities were closed, excepting those undertaking essential, covid-specific work, and staff were furloughed where appropriate. Impacted research facilities included laboratories, special collections, performance spaces, design studios etc, and significantly impacted research activity. After the first National lockdown, a lengthy process of building risk assessment, pre-initialisation and reopening began. However, by the REF census date, some research facilities were still unable to open in a covid-secure manner (e.g. performance spaces and design studios), while those areas open operated under restricted capacity. Field work was severely disrupted throughout 2020, and only extremely limited activity has been possible in 2021, significantly impacting activity across many UoAs. In addition to the impact on research projects, large infrastructure projects were paused during the pandemic. Near-complete projects were finished (e.g. the £96M Sir William Henry Bragg Building), but projects in earlier stages (e.g. the Infrastructure Innovation Park, which will house the Institute for High Speed Rail and Systems Integration, and the Centre for Infrastructure Materials), have been paused for more than 12 months, delaying realisation of the benefits from these investments. The University experienced a significant decrease in grant applications, awards, and income during 2020, reflecting delays to live projects, and delays/cancellation of funding rounds. Throughout the pandemic, the University prioritised essential, covid-specific research, making important contributions across our disciplinary breadth. These included development of rapid testing methodologies for covid-19; covid-19 related clinical trials; design of novel, inexpensive ventilator technologies; modelling of financial and crime impacts of covid-19; understanding and mitigating widening inequalities through covid-19. In addition, researchers were supported to advise Government through membership of SAGE and associated expert groups; volunteer in testing centres both within Leeds and at the Alderley Park Lighthouse super-lab; and for clinical staff to work on the front-line treating those impacted by covid-19. Supporting our researchers and research-related staff has been a key focus during the pandemic, working to address the immediate impacts of the pandemic, and also fears around longer-term impacts on career progression. Through careful utilisation of the UKRI covid-19 schemes, plus significant internal investment, we have supported those most in need and enabled successful delivery of research projects despite delays/interruptions. This includes priority support for early career researchers; supporting pool technical staff to deliver benefits to the widest possible research community; University match funding of UKRI PGR support, ensuring institution-funded PGRs were not disadvantaged; doubling of the annual provision for carer’s leave; ensuring internal processes (e.g promotion, annual staff review etc.) consider the impact of the global pandemic on individuals; providing support for staff to take home office equipment/furniture or buy equipment to allow them to support safe home working practices; waived parking charges on campus, providing a cost-effective alternative to public transport for staff who needed to be on campus. In addition, the University invested in increased fellowship, mentoring and cross-training opportunities to support the long-term career progression of our staff.