Safeguarding the Future of the Microbiology Research and Innovation Workforce
16 November 2021 publication
The Microbiology Society has published a position statement entitled ‘Safeguarding the Future of the Microbiology Research and Innovation Workforce’, calling for employers, funders and governments to prioritise and better support Early Career (EC) Forum.
These recommendations are based on views gathered from EC Forum and other early career researchers through a survey and a series of focus groups carried out from April to June 2021.
Being at the forefront of the COVID-19 pandemic response has led to unprecedented challenges for the microbiology research and innovation workforce, with many EC Forum disproportionately affected. At the time of the survey, 96% of EC Forum reported that the pandemic had affected their research activities and 70% reported that they have not had their funding extended. In addition, 60.5% reported that their mental health and wellbeing had not been supported throughout the pandemic.
Our engagement activities have revealed that the pandemic has acted as a magnifying glass on issues that have been present in academia for years, such as gender inequality, ableism for people with disabilities and a sense of isolation and loneliness at work. In that way, the pandemic has dramatically highlighted the need for a systemic and fundamental change in the way EC Forum are being valued and supported in pursuing successful research careers.