Introduction to the COVID-19 Pandemic and Its Impact on Higher Education

ABSTRACT

This chapter investigates the wide-reaching impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on higher education. It collates surveys conducted by large organizations to assess the effects of the pandemic on academia. The chapter then discusses changes in academic workload among academic staff and their consequences for retention and burnout. It then turns to the perspectives of academics and students in relation to remote learning and research collaboration. Finally, the chapter touches on the long-term ramifications that pandemic-related restrictions may have for academic identity and higher education. © The Editor(s) (if applicable) and The Author(s), under exclusive license to Springer Nature Singapore Pte Ltd. 2022.