One year on: Supporting researchers
Posted on 23 March 2021
From covid analysis to the impact on future climate change policy, our academics have been part of the global effort to drive new insight and investigate the immediate impact of the virus, as well as the longer-term implications for society.
I would like to extend my gratitude to all the Green Chemistry technicians, as well as the teaching lab technicians, for allowing us to continue working on our projects and making the transition as smooth as possible. It has been a difficult year for us all but having the opportunity to go back to the lab to continue our research was one we are all really grateful for.
Course rep for MSc in Green Chemistry and Sustainable Industrial Technology
It enables our students to get involved in the latest critical thinking and learn from experts in their field.
The very first set of Government guidance on working safely during coronavirus, coining the term covid-secure, was issued on 11 May 2020, specifically for labs and research facilities.
Colleagues from health and safety, estates and academic departments developed new ways of working, and technicians made it happen on the ground. The first labs reopened at the end of May 2020 and have been operational, at varying levels, ever since. This has allowed the University to:
- Facilitate covid-secure access to specialist facilities to support research
- Support postgraduate research students, allowing them to continue their studies
- Ensure postgraduate taught students can complete their courses, including practical elements
- Allow research fieldwork activities to take place based on ever-changing government travel restrictions
- Develop covid-secure ways of carrying out face-to-face research
- Deliver teaching labs when undergraduate students are on campus
We are celebrating all that colleagues from across the University have done to keep our students safe and supported over the last 12 months with a series of stories on these pages.