Editorial
Dear Reader,
In this issue of THRiVE News, there are articles on the COVID-19 pandemic and some that are not.
It is understandable why researchers and research institutions have taken great interest and mobilized internal and external resources, time and finances to address this crisis.
The articles not related to COVID should remind us that the health challenges that existed prior to the pandemic are still revalent, some have been negatively impacted and this has created new knowledge gaps which should not be neglected. The impact of marginalizing them now will haunt us in the coming months and years.
We should be forward looking, identify and prioritize the most relevant future research (COVID and non-COVID-related) for the post-pandemic period. While working around the pandemic, we should optimize
learning on how to safely and ethically conduct research during epidemics and thus enhance the national epidemic and pandemic science preparedness and response. Science preparedness is vital for a successful epidemic response and countries need to take stock of what lessons have been learned to strengthen science preparedness.
This pandemic is like a double-edged sword. It has opened up new research opportunities and galvanized some rapid research capacity building efforts and aggressive research initiatives. On the other hand, COVID has directly and indirectly impacted negatively research institutions and universities, interrupted ongoing studies, delayed, halted or reduced the research intensity and career opportunities at these institutions. The ultimate overall breadth and depth of the impact will be fully understood probably years post the pandemic.
The researchers, their institutions, together with public and private funders or development partners have a huge task ahead while thinking outside the box regarding how to rebuild stronger and much more progressive research engines.
For more articles in the Newsletter, visit the THRiVE Blog page