On Friday 17 April, vice-rector for Research Ronny Blust had a virtual conversation with around twenty researchers from the University of Antwerp. Although the corona crisis has all the characteristics of becoming a dark chapter in the history of humankind, during the conversation it became clear that this crisis also offers the necessary hope, solidarity and time to reflect on the future.
Although the physical distance between people might never have been greater, researchers have never digitally put their heads together as much as they are doing now. Researchers from UAntwerp as well as their Flemish and international colleagues are clearly looking for ways to reflect on the impact of the corona crisis, not only in order to find a medical solution, but they also strive to see things in a broader socio-economic perspective. There are plenty of ideas for bottom-up initiatives in which we can join forces across disciplines and researchers are trying to organize themselves within different platforms. It is important that these scattered initiatives find a joint focus and can therefore generate the intended impact in a targeted manner. It might be a bit of a cliché but through unity we find strength and this certainly also applies to the current initiatives that are popping up everywhere. In order to guarantee viability, both strategic and sustainable choices will have to be made.
Moreover, sustainability is not coined as a buzzword here. If the current situation has taught us one thing so far, it is that we will have to thoroughly review the way we interact with each other and with the world, as well as the value we attach to the current economic interests.
Exit strategy research
In addition to initiatives for the future, it is of course also important to offer solutions for the current situation. Many labs and research groups from UAntwerp are currently operating at minimum capacity and it will be important to map both the short- and long-term impact on ongoing research in the best possible way. To this end, the Department of Research Affairs & Innovation, in collaboration with the Finance Department, has already launched a call to document the impact of COVID-19 on research, by means of a short questionnaire. You can find the template on the FAQ page that we have created especially for research guidelines and research-related news during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Furthermore, the rector and vice-rectors are developing an exit strategy for our university, in close consultation with the faculties. Whereas the initial focus was mainly on teaching and preparing for the exams, it is now shifting towards restarting the research activities, by means of a roadmap that will probably be implemented by the end of April. There surely is a drive to restart as soon as possible, but ‘business as usual’ will not be an option. This would entail a cautious restart of the labs and research groups at the beginning of May. Attention will also be paid to library access, as this is crucial for some researchers.
Although everyone is now familiar with the concept of ‘social distancing’, it is often difficult to fully guarantee this in practice. Therefore, the necessary attention will be given to coaching the researchers who return to their physical workplace, and to clear communication, if necessary supported by visual aids. Medical experts who have built up the necessary practical experience are frequently consulted to help establish the next steps and make the transition as smooth as possible.
Reasearch Fund
Funders of scientific research have also clearly recognised that the current situation is urgent and are committed to providing the necessary resources for COVID-19 related research. For example, the Research Fund Flanders (FWO) has launched a call for 2,5 million euros to be made available for Flemish research. UAntwerp also assumes its role as funder and will provide a budget of 500 000 euros through the University Research Fund (BOF). These calls work with a tight deadline, so that the first projects can start in early June and possibly even a bit sooner.
The Flemish universities will also join forces to urge the government to make even more resources available. At this time it is still unclear whether it will come to financial compensation for damages incurred within current projects. Various funders have already been informed that this topic will require due attention, but even they cannot fully grasp the impact yet.
Fortunately, with regard to valorisation, the impact on BlueApp appears to be limited for the time being. This month, the contractor will be appointed for the open innovation hub and the university will work with him to see how COVID-19 will have an effect, although this is expected to be limited. In the meantime, several BlueApp research projects have already started and they are closely monitored by the various valorisation managers involved.
PhD researchers
Finally, UAntwerp pays special attention to the impact of the crisis on young (PhD) researchers and especially foreign researchers. They often face tight deadlines for the defense of their PhD, they sometimes have short temporary contracts and they have to find their way through all administrative matters and find a healthy work-life balance. Fortunately, young researchers can always contact the Antwerp Doctoral School, which will not only assist them with the practical steps, but can also provide a confidential counselor in times of need.
International researchers, students and staff members can also contact MONDO, a joint initiative of the Antwerp Doctoral School, the International Staff Office and the International Student Office, for virtual social activities. For example, there is a weekly Online Coffee Break and the lockdown buddy project ensures that foreign employees and students can get in touch with each other if they need a chat.
This period is challenging for everyone and the guidelines for dealing with this are being written on a somewhat ad hoc basis. It is important, however, that researchers know that both the vice-rector for Research and the vice-rector for Valorisation & Development are doing everything in their power to gradually get part of our researchers back out of their ‘kot’ and into their familiar research environment as quickly as possible, with the support of all members of the Department of Research Affairs & Innovation. For the time being, stay at home, stay safe and keep researching and innovating.
If you feel the need for a new virtual talk with the vice-rector for Research, you can contact:
- Ellen Bogaert (ellen.bogaert@uantwerpen.be)
- Marianne De Voecht (marianne.devoecht@uantwerpen.be).
You can find the recording of the Virtual Talk here (in Dutch).