Covid-19 resilience research

Dr Oleksiy Klymenko (pictured) and Dr Michael Short, in collaboration with PGRs, Ishanki De Mel and Panos Demis, joined the Royal Society’s Rapid Action in Modelling the Pandemic (RAMP) initiative in April. Together with researchers from the Universities of Bath Leeds, they have been developing models that determine risk of Covid-19 infection within enclosed spaces such as offices and public transport. Their models use experimental data from human behaviour, viral survival on surfaces, and transmission via different pathways to assess and guide policies for different environments, including cleaning and how many people should be present in a space and for how long to minimise risk of infection. 

Professor Emily Farran (pictured) and Dr Jo Moss are part of the CoIN Study team investigating the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on mental health and wellbeing in families of children with rare genetic and neurodevelopmental disorders. It is tracking changes in wellbeing during and after the pandemic to understand the challenges facing these families and their impact. The results will be used to identify and provide better support for these families. The project has now been funded by the Bailey Thomas Charitable Fund. 

Dr YingFei Héliot (pictured), in collaboration with researchers at LSE and Nottingham Trent University, has launched a global study to examine the impact of Covid-19 on mental health and wellbeing. It aims to uncover social implications such as resilience, health attitudes and behaviour, political standing, and responsiveness as citizens. The study will provide evidence-based guidance for policy makers in dealing with population-based emergencies and foster growth after experiencing crisis and traumatic events. 

Dr Yanning Li (pictured) and Dr Tracy Xu are investigating the wellbeing of gig economy workers during lockdown. It aims to uncover how the Covid-19 pandemic influences the wellbeing of workers in the gig economy in the UK. This project will be beneficial for local authorities and public health-care managers to address the needs of low-income and relatively insecure group.

Professor Caroline Scarles and Dr Tracy Xu are working in collaboration with Dr Birgitta Gatersleben and Dr Kayleigh Wyles from the School of Psychology to investigate the impact of COVID-19 on people’s use of local, everyday spaces of leisure and recreation. The research seeks to understand how behaviour during lockdown is significantly different to pre-lockdown behaviours and how experiences during lockdown may influence changes in behaviour going forward. This is an ongoing survey and results will be shared in due course.

Dr Katriina Whitaker (pictured) is working with the University of Cardiff, King’s College London and Cancer Research UK to understand the impact of Covid-19 on cancer attitudes and behaviours. The message to “stay home, protect the NHS, save lives” and the suspension of cancer screening programmes sent a strong message that “cancer can wait”. This UKRI funded project will help develop clear public health messages to encourage early detection and prevention. 

Professor Jill Maben (pictured) and Dr Cath Taylor with Professor Jackie Bridges from the University of Southampton identify the stressors and challenges nurses face during the Covid-19 pandemic and have developed guidance offering strategies for nursing team members across health and social care settings to support their psychological wellbeing. The importance of peer and team support is highlighted in the guidance and outlines what managers, organisations and leaders can do to support nurses at this most critical of time. 

Dr Tracy Xu (pictured) is working with Mark Ashton and Dr Yanning Li to study the resilience capacity and real-time adaptive strategies hospitality organisations need to have in order to sustain in the Covid-19 pandemic. This project aims to provide insights into how business strategies for hospitality organizations may be better formulated to build sustainable competitive advantage.