The pandemic hits PhD students

Research INN University has contributed to shows that half of the surveyed PhD students say the pandemic impedes the progress of their doctoral degree.

This article was originally published on 22 February 2021.

In a column in Dagens Medisin (in Norwegian), associate professor of pedagogy at INN University, Øystein Olav Skaar, together with Rune Johan Krumsvik, professor of pedagogy at the University of Bergen and at Volda University College, show how the coronavirus pandemic has affected some of Norway’s PhD students.

Preliminary findings show that although there are quite a few positive aspects noted by the respondents, half of the PhD students report that the pandemic has had a negative effect on the progress of their doctoral project.

Furthermore, the results indicate that six out of ten believe that home-office-based work has had a negative effect on their doctoral project. On this front, balancing work and family life, distractions at home and lack of social contact with colleagues have been significant challenges.

INN University's Øystein Olav Skaar is one of several who have looked into the consequences of the pandemic for PhD students. (Photo: private)

Contact
Øystein Olav Skaar, associate professor 

Email:  oystein.skaar@inn.no

Telephone: +47 61 28 82 30

Mobile phone: +47 926 81 939

 

Published Nov. 24, 2021 1:00 PM - Last modified Dec. 1, 2021 5:19 PM