However, it was not all about COVID-19. The nature of research is to search for the unknown, and so our researchers continued to push the frontiers of knowledge in a range of other areas that had nothing to do with the pandemic.
Research funding in particular the health sciences increased, and in general 2020 and 2021 saw a welcome increase in third stream funding, confirming that there is trust and respect for UFS researchers and the work they do.
As we move into the next period of UFS research development, we know that things will not be the same. We have learned much from the last two years, about how research can be done under stringent circumstances, how collaborations can be built, how communication and interaction can continue and even be improved. Resources needed to be strategically aligned to achieve the necessary impact and our researchers did not sit still and wait for things to be “normal” again – they continued to produce excellent results in innovative ways. Although we continue to face considerable challenges, the future looks good!
Dr Glen Taylor
Senior Director: Research Development