To all members of Western’s research community,
Research Western continues to assess rapidly evolving circumstances presented by COVID-19. Our first priority is to protect Western’s students, trainees, staff and faculty.
While we urge caution, we must exercise a sense of urgency.
We are working with partners across campus to develop contingency plans to address unique challenges that could affect research in the occasion of a university shutdown. Every step will be taken to preserve ongoing studies wherever it is safe and possible to do so.
To help us achieve these objectives, we ask that you:
- Refrain from starting, or submitting, any new research protocols. Please assess needs for ongoing projects.
- Ensure you, your staff, graduate students and postdoctoral scholars have the necessary tools, materials and data to continue work at home, where possible to do so.
- Identify local services and personnel essential to maintaining the continuity of your research program and communicate these to your department chair and Associate Dean (Research).
- Consider, as appropriate, alternate ways of conducting research (e.g., using telephone/Zoom instead of in-person interviews) so long as doing so does not affect the project’s scientific merit or integrity.
- Conduct research activities safely and in accordance with applicable requirements and best practices.
- Stay informed of information provided on Western’s COVID-19 information page and disseminate all relevant information to appropriate research staff.
- Reduce the risk of exposure by following public health precautions provided by the Middlesex-London Health Unit.
Given how quickly this situation is evolving, researchers need to be prepared to delay, scale back, or stop research activities.
ACVS (Animal Care and Veterinary Services) is also working hard to ensure the continuity of research programs. There may be delays to timelines for grants, but this has not yet been confirmed. As information becomes available, we will communicate it through Research Western’s website and by email.
We will continue to review and update the FAQ as necessary to provide the latest information for minimizing impact on Western’s research operations. If you have additional questions after reviewing these FAQ, please email research.comms@uwo.ca.
