European Political Science versus the Pandemic: Patterns of Professional Adaptation.

Area of Science:

• Political Science
• Higher Education Studies

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic significantly impacted higher education globally.
• External shocks can alter academic disciplines and teaching methodologies.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on European political science.
• To assess the "predisposition to adaptation" within the European political science community.

Main Methods:

• An original survey was conducted among 1400 European professional political scientists (EPSs).
• Data was collected at the end of 2020 to capture early pandemic reactions.
• The study examined attitudes towards professional adaptation, focusing on three dimensions: passive, proactive, and innovative.

Main Results:

• The survey identified varying degrees of passive, proactive, and innovative adaptation among EPSs.
• Scholars exhibited different levels of readiness to adjust their professional practices in response to the pandemic.
• The findings highlight a diverse "predisposition to adaptation" within the European political science community.

Conclusions:

• The COVID-19 pandemic has influenced the professional landscape of European political science.
• The community displays a spectrum of adaptive responses, ranging from passive to innovative.
• Understanding these adaptive strategies is crucial for navigating future disruptions in academia.