Environment submissions database

COVID-19 has had a major effect on Staffordshire’s research environment, and we have put in place a range of support for staff and postgraduate researchers through the pandemic. A significant effect of the pandemic upon our research has been due to the diversion of staff time to support our undergraduate students: as outlined in section 1 of our REF5a, many of our undergraduates come from disadvantaged backgrounds. The pandemic has had a much larger negative effect on them and their ability to learn and consequently more of our researchers’ time has been required to support them through revised pedagogical approaches to manage distance and blended learning and increased pastoral support.? As >95% of our SRR staff is on Teaching, Research and Innovation contracts this has impacted across our submission.?? Therefore whilst some medium to longer term actions on the development of our research environment and culture have been postponed a range of initiatives have been supported: A Research Recovery Workstream was initiated, providing a team to manage risks and prioritise activity aligned to our research strategy and delivery requirements.?? It was recognised that there was a disproportionate effect on the ability of some groups to undertake research e.g. female researchers, those with serious health conditions who needed to shield. Staff in these groups were very quickly given access to digital resources so that they could continue to research as much as possible in lockdown. Our on-campus physical research facilities (e.g. laboratories, studios) have remained open and supported by Technical Services staff throughout the pandemic, to the fullest extent allowed by Government restrictions. Research engagement continued with the CEDARs survey being issued in summer 2020, feedback events held and the completion of our two-year HR Excellence in Research Action plan review process in late 2020. All staff returned to campus (following risk assessments and with COVID-secure social distancing measured) in Autumn 2020 to provide onsite cover for staff and students. To enable staff and PGRs to manage their wellbeing, online health and wellbeing resources were rapidly scaled up.? Staff with individual circumstances such as caring responsibilities have been further assisted by the University’s introduction of a Blended Working policy after the end of the first lockdown. This allows staff to work from home for approximately 40% of the time, more by agreement with their line manager. In March 2020 the University introduced a three-month extension to postgraduate registration. For students close to completion, the University ensured that vivas could go ahead virtually. In conjunction with the Students’ Union, the University produced a 20-page guide ‘PhD during the Pandemic’. Evidence from the University’s Graduate School indicates that our PGRs have felt very well supported during the pandemic. Researchers have responded to the societal challenges posed by COVID, with delivery of interventions to support efforts through QR GCRF funded COVID-themed projects, hosting of webinars for the business community and research and technician time and facilities being used to support medical interventions (e.g., development of a field ventilator, donation of equipment).