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Universities and research in times of crisis: the getting of wisdom

Lorraine Ling (La Trobe University, Melbourne, Australia)

Qualitative Research Journal

ISSN: 1443-9883

Article publication date: 15 July 2020

Issue publication date: 13 October 2020

866

Abstract

Purpose

In a time of the COVID-19, pandemic universities and researchers have been faced with unprecedented issues and challenges, and the purpose of this paper is to explore those challenges and issues.

Design/methodology/approach

In this article the role of universities and research in times of crisis and emergency is explored.

Findings

COVID-19 has impacted upon universities and their staff and students in a range of ways involving course delivery, staff location and limited campus access and university income. The decline in the amount of funding provided by the federal government to Australian universities over several decades has caused a heavy reliance on international student enrolments; thus, the decrease in international students’ numbers, especially, has had a dramatic effect on university budgets. . Research and researchers are shown to be most vulnerable at a time when their expertise, knowledge and wisdom are arguably most required.

Originality/value

This sudden and unpredicted decline in funds available in universities due to the COVID-19 pandemic along with the disruption of normal university business, poses major problems for all the activities of universities. In this article the current Australian university context is used as a vehicle to explore the role that universities have during crises with particular reference to the role of research and researchers across all discipline areas.

Keywords

Citation

Ling, L. (2020), "Universities and research in times of crisis: the getting of wisdom", Qualitative Research Journal, Vol. 20 No. 4, pp. 361-371. https://doi.org/10.1108/QRJ-06-2020-0055

Publisher

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Emerald Publishing Limited

Copyright © 2020, Emerald Publishing Limited

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