Research in the Field of Humanities and Social Sciences during the Pandemic. Limits and Incentives, Boundaries and Freedoms
Research in the Field of Humanities and Social Sciences during the Pandemic. Limits and Incentives, Boundaries and Freedoms

Summary/Abstract: The onset of the SARS-COV-2 crisis came with many challenges and produced a huge impact on both the various fields of activity and the individuals, according to the particularities of different states, regions, institutions, etc. The initial reversal of the general situation, materialised in a lockdown, seemed to generate astonishing revelations about life before the pandemic and about the changes that appeared necessary to apply in the future. The field of education, regardless of the level but to varying degrees, was one of the first to be affected by the pandemic, the lockdown having the main effect the closure of schools at all levels. At first, it was thought that the situation would be short-lived, but the evolution of the pandemic made lockdown a general policy and isolation a way of life for many weeks and working/teaching/learning at home became the normality. Research was also deeply affected by the pandemic, almost regardless of the field. Hence, in the large pandemic context, the interrelation between the fields of university education and research was ignored in most cases, the emphasis falling (absolutely understandable) on the pedagogical act, while research activities and researchers in academia were almost ignored in terms of specific needs, especially for the areas of research that, at least in the initial stage of the pandemic, did not seem to have a link with its study, although they were largely influenced by the pandemic, as they were humanities and social sciences. This article provides an overview of the challenges and effects that the pandemic has had on academic research, as it is not yet possible to advance definitive conclusions about the quantity and quality of research in the humanities and social sciences and about its impact on managing the Covid-19 crisis.

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