Midterm conference: Social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic - research for integration, participation and renewal

Experiences during the pandemic such as isolation, special working conditions, precariousness and uncertainty have led to a variety of stresses. At the midterm conference, participants in parallel online working groups discussed the topics of "crisis perception", "resilience", "work", "vulnerable groups" and "care work" on the basis of their preliminary research findings and the questions they are asking themselves in light of the new findings. It became clear that, from a social science perspective, they are making a decisive contribution to the "systematic and science-led reappraisal of the pandemic and interventions to combat COVID-19 and the role of science", as called for by the Pandemic Commission of the German Research Foundation (DFG) in November 2023.

After the conference participants had reflected on their previous study results in the working groups and then in the plenary session, they summarised their overall findings in a final discussion. They then derived practical recommendations for action to counter the existing negative effects of the pandemic or to be better prepared for similar crises in the future.

In retrospect, an insightful research overview of the social impact of the pandemic in Germany and interventions to combat it was achieved. On this basis and with a view to the changed medium and long-term situation after the pandemic, statements were made on how to deal with similar crises in the future and how they can be prevented.

Summary of the results:

• During the COVID-19 pandemic, social relationships played a crucial role in compensating for stress in both the professional and private spheres. One outcome of the conference was that the creation and recognition of such spaces is important for the future. For example, schools should be understood as places to live and spaces in which, among other things, the well-being of children is taken care of, and they should be organised accordingly.
• Overall, it was concluded that (organisational) structures for dealing with crises similar to the pandemic are necessary to prevent social problems. Existing, well-established and recognised networks also offered the opportunity to remain operational during the pandemic. Unregulated situations have also fostered creative solutions during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, certain (decision-making) freedoms arose, particularly in working life with the new organisational leeway.The flexibilisation was, however, also accompanied by precarisation in an unregulated space. With regard to digital working from home as a future way of working, the research results remind us that blurred boundaries between work and private life were perceived as very stressful during the pandemic because constant availability was expected.
   
• In general, in all situations where there were no solutions to pandemic-related problems, flexible, sometimes individual adjustments were necessary under conditions of massive uncertainty. At the same time, there was a feeling of not being seen by politicians. In addition, psychological stress was not addressed by the institutions analysed.
   
• Particularly with regard to adolescents and young adults, the question was asked what effects the many disappointments and uncertainties during the pandemic will have in the medium and long term on young people's and adults' attitudes towards democracy and their understanding of democracy. In this context, the results of quantitative and qualitative studies showed that around a third of respondents in Germany are open to conspiracy theories across all educational levels.

At the end of the discussion rounds, the conference participants recommended to funders that it is essential to continue investing in the area of pandemic impact research. According to their requests, further project research is needed, firstly to continue to analyse the pandemic from a social science and humanities perspective. Secondly, further research is needed into innovations that will enable societies to survive similar crises in the future without social harm. Finally, the wish was expressed to make research more visible, e.g. by including stakeholders from politics, business and civil society at conferences. In this way, the added value of social science and humanities research should be made more visible and its social and political relevance emphasised.

Even though the 18 projects only presented preliminary results at the midterm conference, they already provided important insights into the social impact of the COVID-19 pandemic after two years of research work, both with regard to the individual topics and issues and in terms of the overall picture. As the research projects also identify medium and long-term solutions, they also lay the foundation for prevention and protection measures in the event of future pandemics and comparable crises. Last but not least, innovations and transformations can be initiated in the long term on the basis of their findings.