Thursday, 16 April 2020
Researchers are looking for volunteers from across the globe to take part in a new study looking into how social distancing has affected their lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. The study is being conducted by an international group of researchers led by Dr Bahar Tuncgenc from the University of Nottingham’s School of Psychology.
"Keeping distance from our loved ones, especially in such uncertain and threatening times, is an unusual and at times difficult way to be asked to live. We want to find out how these distancing measures have been affecting people’s daily lives and what they may have been doing to help get through it.” says Dr Tuncgenc.
The study aims to understand what motivates people to adhere to the practice of distancing and how it affects people’s social interactions and mood. The researchers are targeting a wide range of countries including: Australia, Bangladesh, China, France, Germany, India, Iran, Italy, Lebanon, Spain, Sweden, Turkey, UK, and USA.
By targeting over a dozen countries, we will have a unique opportunity to look at how cultural values play a role in people’s experiences. Ultimately, our goal is to help make effective policies, and for that, you need to understand people’s social, psychological and cultural needs.
Volunteers are needed to take part in the online survey, which will track people’s experiences and feelings about the COVID-19 outbreak over a 3-month period.
If you are interested in taking part or know someone who may be interested, the online survey can be accessed here: https://distancing-covid19-survey.herokuapp.com/
Story credits
More information is available from Bahar Tuncgenc at Bahar.Tuncgenc@nottingham.ac.uk or Jane Icke, Media Relations Manager for the Faculty of Science at the University of Nottingham, on +44 (0)115 74 86462 or jane.icke@nottingham.ac.uk
Notes to editors:
About the University of Nottingham
Ranked 32 in Europe and 16th in the UK by the QS World University Rankings: Europe 2024, the University of Nottingham is a founding member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities. Studying at the University of Nottingham is a life-changing experience, and we pride ourselves on unlocking the potential of our students. We have a pioneering spirit, expressed in the vision of our founder Sir Jesse Boot, which has seen us lead the way in establishing campuses in China and Malaysia - part of a globally connected network of education, research and industrial engagement.
Nottingham was crowned Sports University of the Year by The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024 – the third time it has been given the honour since 2018 – and by the Daily Mail University Guide 2024.
The university is among the best universities in the UK for the strength of our research, positioned seventh for research power in the UK according to REF 2021. The birthplace of discoveries such as MRI and ibuprofen, our innovations transform lives and tackle global problems such as sustainable food supplies, ending modern slavery, developing greener transport, and reducing reliance on fossil fuels.
The university is a major employer and industry partner - locally and globally - and our graduates are the second most targeted by the UK's top employers, according to The Graduate Market in 2022 report by High Fliers Research.
We lead the Universities for Nottingham initiative, in partnership with Nottingham Trent University, a pioneering collaboration between the city’s two world-class institutions to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing for residents in the city and region we are proud to call home.
More news…