20 things we’ve learned from universities during the Covid-19 pandemic (so far)

We launched Viral Stories in March 2020 to promote the critical role and work of our higher education institutions throughout the pandemic.

At the time, we anticipated (and hoped) that the stories would dry up within a matter of months. Because that would mean that a vaccine had been found and normality had been restored. The site would then serve as an archive of the essential work by our universities.

But, we’re still on this journey and universities continue to work to solve the Covid-19 situation. We feel it’s only right to take a moment to think about some of the incredible things we’ve learned along the way.

Here are just 20 of the many fascinating, groundbreaking, and moving stories we’ve seen:

1. Human behaviour - We mimic the behaviour of those in our groups - it isn't mindless automation or "contagion" as previously assumed: In with the in-group: COVID-19 and public compliance – University of Sussex

2. Disconnected Youth - Young people who previously felt disconnected from school were surveyed in the first lockdown and said they felt more connected to school because of remote learning: Study finds many young people felt less anxious and more connected to school in lockdown – University of Bristol

3. Kitchen Skills - How to chop an onion like a Michelin starred chef and cook delicious vegan recipes: Top chefs create recipes for students – University of Edinburgh 🔪

4. Bless You - A sneeze is like a "mini atomic bomb" with water droplets that can reach 3.5 metres: Modelling shows sneezes and coughs are like "mini atomic bombs" – Loughborough University 🤧

5. Not flying the nest - Six in ten single 20-34 year olds (3.5 million) now live with their parents: Coronavirus forces young adults to return home – Loughborough University

6. Numbers Count - Numeracy skills are critical to tackling the 'infodemic' of fake COVID news: Numeracy skills are critical to tackling the 'infodemic' of fake COVID news – University of Cambridge

7. Virtual Reality - Innovation in virtual gaming on campus has increased connectivity between students social distancing: Helping university students connect in a virtual world – Teesside University 🎮

8. Freedom of Movement - Different crimes respond to different types of change in movement: How crime responds to lockdowns - University of Leeds

9. Getting to Know You - Friendly interactions with Chinese people reduces Covid-19 prejudice: Friendly interactions with Chinese people reduces Covid-19 prejudice – UEA

10. Pandemic Promotion - Big brands cashed in on the pandemic by targeting healthcare workers with free meals in exchange for promotion on social media: Big brands cashed in on Covid-19 – University of Edinburgh

11. Sing it Loud - Singing is no riskier than speaking: Singing is no more risky than talking finds new COVID-19 study – University of Bristol 🎤 🎶

12. Stubbed out - Over a million people have stopped smoking since the pandemic hit Britain: A million people have stopped smoking since the Covid-19 pandemic hit Britain – UCL

13. SHHHHH - There was a 50% reduction in the seismic noise observed around the world in early to mid-2020: It's oh so quiet – lockdown sees worldwide drop in seismic noise – University of Aberdeen

14. Barnard Castle Eye Test - We all thought it but here's the proof of the Cummings effect which reduced confidence in Government (particularly in England) during the first lockdown: 'Cummings effect' led to loss of confidence in UK Government – UCL 👓 👓 👓

15. Lockdown Refugees - Many refugees and asylum seekers have already endured similar experiences to those felt during Covid-19 lockdown: Effect of COVID-19 lockdown experience on refugees and asylum seekers – Open University

16. Poodemic - People start to shed the virus in faeces up to about two weeks before they get symptoms which is why testing wastewater can help monitor the spread of the disease: Pilot project for early warning system for new COVID-19 outbreaks – Cardiff University 💩

17. Clean Air - When a lockdown affects a country like India with a population 1.3 billion people it can reduce dangerous air pollutants by up to 54%: Lockdown reduced dangerous air pollutants in Indian cities by up to 54 percent – University of Surrey

18. We’re in this Together? - Black and south Asian ethnic groups in England at higher risk of Covid-19 infection, as well as hospitalisation with the disease: Black and asian groups are at higher risk of COVID-19 infections – University of Glasgow

19. Foodbanks - Unpaid carers are twice as likely to have used a food bank during the pandemic: Unpaid carers twice as likely to have used a food bank during pandemic – University of Sheffield

20. Helping the UK - 7 out of 10 people in the UK recognise that universities play an important role in the UK recovery from Covid-19: Public support for universities as a result of COVID-19 – Oxford Brookes University 🎓 😀

At Stori, we help universities communicate their research to a wide range of audiences to build reputation, support recruitment and make the news. Get in touch to find out more.