4 ways science should transform after COVID-19

Jun 17, 2020

A researcher works inside a laboratory of Chulalongkorn University during the development of an mRNA type vaccine candidate for the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Bangkok, Thailand, May 25, 2020. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha - RC2LVG9V0WWJ

Scientific enterprises have been nimble and inclusive in response to the pandemic. Image: REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha

Mandë Holford

Associate Professor of Chemical Biology, Hunter College, City University of New York (CUNY)

Ruth Morgan

Vice Dean (Interdisciplinarity Entrepreneurship), UCL Faculty of Engineering Sciences, University College London (UCL)

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Graph showing Net cash inflow from operating activities (in £m) per institution in 2020-21, baseline vs. after pandemic, by institution and cluster

Net cash inflow from operating activities (in £m) per institution in 2020-21, baseline vs. after pandemic, by institution and cluster Image: London Economics

Bar chart showing that the time to publish (in 14 journals) had dropped from 117 days to 60 days since the beginning of the pandemic.

Peer-reviewed journals have accelerated publication of studies on the coronavirus. One analysis of 14 journals (mainly virology) found that the time to publish had dropped from 117 days to 60 days. Image: World Economic Forum

Graph showing the results from an OECD flash survey of over 1,100 scientists, policy makers and members of the public in 80 countries, which show that people believe medical and scientific expertise will be more integrated in policy advice following the COVID-19 crisis.

Results from an OECD flash survey of over 1,100 scientists, policy-makers and members of the public in 80 countries show that people believe medical and scientific expertise will be more integrated in policy advice following the COVID-19 crisis. Image: OECD

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