A Podcast Ethnography: Exploring Covid-19's Effect On The Scientific Enterprise

Abstract

COVID-19 has directly impacted the scientific enterprise and higher education. During times of high stress or disaster, adaptability and resiliency directly impact an individual’s mental health. There is a lack of research about the experiences of agricultural and natural resource scientists and students during the pandemic. The purpose of the study was to explore the impact of COVID-19 on agricultural and natural resource scientists, graduate students, and the scientific enterprise at a land grant university. Using a podcast ethnographic approach to analyze a COVID-19 focused series of the [Streaming Science] podcast, this study found the pandemic halted many scientists’ research projects, required instructors to engage with their students online, increased time spent with family, and created an added awareness of student wellbeing and mental health.