Executive Summary

“Have sick family members in other States that I can not visit, Emotional labour of helping friends Come to terms with losing jobs, Housemates lost jobs so stress of Being able to pay rent, general Anxiety about the world”

• 120 students surveyed

• 70% reported mental health impacts

• 56% reported disruption to research method

The novel coronavirus pandemic (COVID-19) has resulted in multiple and wide-ranging impacts on the lives and research capacities of graduate research (GR) students. In many cases, GR students are facing direct disruption to their research projects due to the pandemic, while simultaneously dealing with broader interruptions to their everyday lives. Between struggling to survive and facing the collective trauma of a global health crisis, it is becoming near impossible for many GR students to engage in research to the best of their ability.

The findings from this report signal the need for the swift provision of extensive support from universities, including universal extensions to deadlines and scholarship and/or universal allocation of a substantial period of ‘crisis leave’ distinct from standard leave allowances, additional mental health support, and grants to support work-from-home arrangements. Targeted support must also be given to international students, students with existing mental health and physical health conditions, and students with carer responsibilities.