Tracking Policy Implications and Impacts of the COVID-19 Pandemic and Related Executive Actions on a Sampling of Foreign-born Early Career Researchers in the U.S.

The research workforce in the United States is highly dependent upon foreign-born researchers who contribute significantly to the enterprise. Recently, the careers of this group in STEM have been disrupted by the COVID-19 pandemic and associated Executive Actions by several administrations. As an advocacy organization with a number of foreign-born Early Career Researchers (ECRs) working in the United States, we closely tracked these COVID-19 Executive Actions across the current and former administration. To assess the impact of related policy changes on foreign-born ECRs, we administered a survey examining various aspects of the academic experience of a sampling of trainees within the Future of Research community. We found that during the COVID-19 pandemic, their experience was adversely impacted. Specifically, mental health, child care capabilities, employability, and freedom to leave and enter the United States were recurring themes in this ECR population from our survey. Based on our data, we recommend that universities and employers in the United States pay special attention to the precarious state of foreign-born ECRs during the COVID-19 pandemic, and mitigate the negative effects of national policies on their academic experience, while providing additional support during their career transitions.