New research questions raised by pandemic Postponed projects, cancelled trips and field work, but also new questions to focus on. The corona crisis has shaken up and changed the conditions for international research partnerships in the Global South. OF COURSE, the crisis is very palpable for those of
us who live and work in an international setting, says Gunnar Köhlin, Director of the Environment for Development at the School of Business, Economics and Law.” This unit, which coordinates 15 environmental economy centres around the world in their work on research around the environment and poverty alleviation in the Global South, focused during the initial stages of the corona crisis on ensuring the health of their colleagues. “All potentially hazardous operations were halted. Subsequently, we have asked our funders,
18
GUJOURNAL MAY 2020
especially Sida, for permission to let our research projects take longer than planned.” The environmental economists are among the most frequent travellers at the University of Gothenburg. With a complete halt to air travel workshops, field work, annual meetings and conferences have been cancelled around the world. But this does not mean that international collaboration has halted – it just looks different. “IN A WAY, it is even more intense. We have previo-
usly invested quite heavily in video conferencing technology, which we are benefiting from now. We are in full swing and collaborate on planning and conduct studies together. It is really only the data gathering that is being delayed.” “In a sense, the crisis came at an opportune time. Video technology has been around for a long time, but it is only now that it has matured sufficiently, both in terms of software solutions and
Gunnar Köhlin
bandwidth. I believe this will have a substantial impact on our way of working in the future, and that we will be talking about pre and post March 2020.” Gunnar Köhlin also believes that the coronavirus and its consequences will affect research and its focus. “There are already plenty of ideas. It is of particular interest to us, as the environment is being dramatically impacted by the restrictions. What will happen now that people are suddenly experiencing clean air in the Asian mega cities?” ANJA KARLSSON FRANCK, lecturer at the School
Anja Karlsson Franck
of Global Studies, is also saying that her research, which mainly concerns migration and borders, will have a new focus. “The corona crisis does affect border policies and people’s mobility. What will happen when the borders are reopened? Will the rules that have been rolled out be rescinded? Another aspect, which
