Environment submissions database

Edinburgh Napier University has responded agilely to COVID-19 to retain a vibrant research environment. The applied nature of research at the institution led to a high number of projects being paused due to COVID-19. Out of 156 live projects in March 2020, 68 were disrupted or stopped completely, totalling approximately £75k in salary costs. Although most projects resumed in August 2020, income has still be drastically reduced due to COVID-19 restrictions. As well as delays to existing projects, new projects expected to begin in the year 2020/21 have been prohibited from starting. This has led to a reduction from an expected spend of £2m to only £1.1m. This reduced spend is likely to continue until restrictions are lifted. Although this has affected projected income, the University has supported researchers to safeguard both them, and the research capacity of the organisation. An additional £717,739 from the Scottish Funding Council was divided thoughtfully to this effect. £300,000 was utilised in the first instance to protect research staff employment during the pandemic. The University also encouraged researchers to reconsider their priorities to respond to the pandemic. A formal panel process was organised which distributed £284,000 of the SFC funding to new COVID focused projects. In addition, nearly £167,000 of external funding has been won. In 2020, the University’s Sighthill Campus reduced its research capacity in order to prepare to become an NHS COVID-19 testing hub if required. The University Research Integrity Committee responded swiftly to the pandemic, to ensure all projects adhered to government guidelines on contact with participants. While this has contributed to an unavoidable reduction in ongoing research, it has enabled the continuation of new or amended projects deemed safe. It has increased its provision of approved survey and meeting tools to this effect. In response to COVID-19 the University increased its remote researcher development provision for both research students and staff. £20,000 of additional SFC funding was used to support the existing budget and organise a variety of training sessions. From March to December 2020, 57 online workshops were organised for researchers, with an attendance of 647. These sessions have allowed continued remote development of generic research skills, but also have facilitated new, pandemic-specific research skills. Sessions have also been organised to support researchers in dealing with the pandemic in terms of health and wellbeing. Although COVID-19 has undoubtedly impacted research students, the university has responded quickly to ensure new and existing students are appropriately supported. £130,000 of additional SFC funding was used to support students in stipends, hardship funding, consumables and training.