Updated 11 May 2020
The coronavirus pandemic represents an unprecedented challenge. The situation is rapidly evolving. We will update this page with the latest information relevant to UK DRI activities.
We are working alongside our partner universities to prepare and act on appropriate measures to safeguard our researchers, support staff and the wider public. Above all else, public safety is paramount.
If you need to contact UK DRI HQ directly, you can find all relevant contacts on our HQ page. Note: The HQ team and most of our researchers are now working from home. Use email to contact us in the first instance, and we will share phone numbers where appropriate.
Information for UK DRI researchers
We would like to thank all our researchers and support staff who are working extremely hard and continue to make vital progress in the field of dementia research.
Take a look at our latest article on how UK DRI researchers are tackling the challenge of Covid-19
Some of our clinicians and scientists may have been asked to turn their attention and expertise towards tackling coronavirus. We fully support this activity and encourage you to do what you can on the wider effort to combat the virus, including helping others in society. We are extremely proud of the UK DRI community and your willingness to pull together and help others.
Regarding your individual research activities, please be in touch with your lab head and Centre Director to discuss access to the labs and winding down your work. Please continue to follow the most up-to-date guidance from your host institutions (see below) regarding isolation, travel and other health related policies.
Group leaders have received an email from HQ (20.03.20) outlining issues with finance and research evaluation, but please be reassured that UK DRI and its funders will support our staff through this time and beyond. Please approach your Group Leader directly if you have any further concerns. It was announced on 24.03.2020 that REF2021 has been postponed (full details).
Following the Prime Minister’s announcement of lockdown changes on Sunday (10.05.2020), we advised all our researchers to follow the guidance of their respective host university, and that no immediate changes to working arrangements should be made until that guidance has been issued. We expect a carefully staggered transition back into the labs and plans should be put in place for when this occurs.
Your health and that of the wider community is the current priority. As researchers, we should lead by example in our actions and behaviours. Please avoid non-essential contact with others and observe isolation guidance. Do please stay in touch with your UK DRI colleagues and don’t hesitate to contact your centre support staff and the HQ team if you need help or advice.
UK DRI Virtual Seminars
UK DRI HQ has organised a number of virtual seminars and training events over this period. Please find upcoming events on our events page. Many of these are for UK DRI researchers and support staff only and registration links can be found in emails circulated from Centre Managers.
Where possible, UK DRI will share some of these events on our Youtube Channel
*Take a look at our latest seminar with the Structural Genomics Consortium & Centre for Medicine Discovery, as part of our 'Partners & Platforms' series.*
LIVING PAPER: CORONAVIRUS COVID-19
From KU Leuvven, the living paper on the new coronavirus disease (COVID-19) provides a structured compilation of scientific data about the virus, the disease and its control. Its objective is to help scientists identify the most relevant publications on COVID-19 in the mass of information that appears every day. It is also expected to foster a global understanding of disease control and stimulate transdisciplinary initiatives. It is updated on a weekly basis.
COVID-19 information from the UK DRI’s host universities:
Guidance is also available via the UK government website.
