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Coronavirus developments at a glance—2 June

Reflections on Covid-19 from the research world, and more

Special focus: Views of the virus

In a series of three articles, figures from across Europe reflect on the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on the research world, and their hopes and fears for what might emerge in its aftermath.

Read part one here


 

Europe
Fellows supported by the EU’s Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions scheme, which provides funding for research projects to develop skills and experience abroad, are pleading with the bloc to provide more money to those among their number whose work has been severely disrupted due to Covid-19.

The EU’s Graphene Flagship, a €1 billion, 10-year research and innovation programme focused on materials made from ultra-thin sheets of carbon atoms, has set up a multidisciplinary working group to explore how graphene could be used to combat the Covid-19 pandemic.

A €10 billion investment programme proposed by the German research ministry is meant to support innovative companies and research institutions which might struggle under the economic fallout of the coronavirus pandemic.

UK
The trustworthiness of scientists is likely to be “significantly” affected as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, research has found.

The chair of the UK Statistics Authority has called for changes to the way data on Covid-19 testing are collected and published.

Physical distancing measures will reduce useable on-campus space to just 10-20 per cent of what is normally available, the universities quality watchdog has warned. And universities could lose millions of pounds in tuition fee income if they break new rules about the number of domestic students they can recruit, the UK government has confirmed.