Expert knowledge serving the public and the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic Researchers at the University of Iceland have studies various aspects of the current epidemic. Here below is a list of projects, but please note that it is not exhaustive. Please contact the Division of Science and Innovation (inno@hi.is) for corrections and if a study is missing from the list. The list is updated regularly. Interdisciplinary projectsA prediction model for the number of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 and the corresponding burden on the health care system Project title: A prediction model for the number of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 and the corresponding burden on the health care system Project manager(s): Brynjólfur Gauti Jónsson, PhD student; Birgir Hrafnkelsson, Professor; Jón Magnús Jóhannesson, Internal specialist, Landspítali; Jóhanna Jakobsdóttir, Assistant Professor; Sigríður Haraldsd. Elínardóttir, Head of Division. Department: Health Information at the Directorate of Health; Þórarinn Jónmundsson, student; Thor Aspelund, Professor; Unnur A. Valdimarsdóttir, Professor Contact: thor@hi.is Collaboration partner(s): Directorate of Health, Landspitali- The National University Hospital of Iceland Main (research) discipline/department: Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Physical Sciences Abstract: In recent weeks, the COVID-19 epidemic has spread all over the world. During its peak in Iceland, two types of forecasting models were developed to anticipate the development of the epidemic and its impact on the health system. On the one hand, a forecast model for predicting the number of infections each day was developed and based on that forecast and data from other countries, the number of hospitalisations was estimated (see covid.hi.is). On the other hand, a forecasting model was developed that uses forecasts from covid.hi.is and the number of infections per day but it also uses historical data from Landspítali to predict the flow of infected people with greater accuracy than is possible by using data from other countries. The second model was used daily at Landspítali during the first wave of the epidemic. Here is a link to the website of the project (it is in Icelandic): A prediction model for the number of individuals diagnosed with COVID-19 and the corresponding burden on the health care system Improved prediction model for the flow of individuals infected by a pandemic and serviced by Landspitali Project title: Improved prediction model for the flow of individuals infected by a pandemic and serviced by Landspitali Project manager(s): Birgir Hrafnkelsson, Professor; Tómas Philip Rúnarsson, Professor; Rögnvaldur Jóhann Sæmundsson, Professor; Thor Aspelund, Professor; Martin Ingi Sigurðsson, Professor and Chief Physician; Vigdís Hallgrímsdóttir, Chief Executive of Perioperative Services; Students: Signý Kristín Sigurjónsdóttir, Valgerður Jónsdóttir and Margrét Vala Þórisdóttir Contact: rjs@hi.is; thor@hi.is Collaboration partner(s): Landspitali- The National University Hospital of Iceland Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science, Public Health Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Science Institute Funding: Icelandic Student Innovation Fund Abstract: The project involves finding, implementing and testing possible ways to improve the forecasting model of the National Hospital of Iceland for the flow of epidemics. The model uses predictions of the number of new infections, historical data on the flow of infected people and a simulation model to predict how infected people move in and out of the hospital and between departments during an epidemic. A forecast of the number of new infections is used to estimate the number of infected people in the hospital and historical data to assess the probability of how infected people move between places and how long they stay in each place. Here is a link to the website of the project (it is in Icelandic): Improved prediction model for the flow of individuals infected by a pandemic and serviced by Landspitali What´s Art got to do with it? Project title: What´s Art got to do with it? COVID-19 and the creative sector in Iceland Project manager(s): Uta Reichardt, Nýdoktor Contact: utar@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Stofnun Sæmundar fróða Abstract: Cultural content contributes to wellbeing and resilience of communities. Along with the tourism industry, cultural and creative sectors are among the most affected by the current coronavirus crisis. This research investigates the immediate impact of the COVID-19 crisis on the arts sector in Iceland, ad hoc interventions, emergence of alternative business models and post-crisis outlook. It further examines how the general public made use of arts during the assembly ban in Iceland, e.g. through films, videos, net-based events, music, books, etc. The project applies uses a range of methods for data collection such as questionnaires and semi structured qualitative interviews with representatives from the art sector as well as public sector as well as web-based research (national and international measures/ additional funding schemes/ political bills/newspaper/employment statistics etc.). Therein, the Icelandic approach will be compared to how this issue was approached in other countries, e.g. Germany and the UK. This work is done in cooperation with the NORDRESS Centre of Excellence on Resilience and Societal Security. In connection to the project, an event was organized where artists from Iceland, Taiwan and the UK collaborated in an event, OUT OF SYNC, that took place simultaneously at Mengi in Reykjavík and FUL in Taiwan. Here you can see the performances at the event: OUT OF SYNC Við erum öll almannavarnir! Project title: Við erum öll almannavarnir! Project manager(s): Ingibjörg Lilja Ómarsdóttir, phd student; Guðrún Gísladóttir, professor; Guðrún Pétursdóttir, associate professor; Guðmundur Freyr Úlfarsson, professor Contact: ilo@hi.is; gudrun@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Institute for Sustainable Development; the Institute of Life and Environmental Sciences, Department of nursing, Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering Abstract: Greið upplýsingamiðlun til almennings gegnir lykilhlutverki við að efla seiglu samfélaga sem lent hafa í áföllum. Í verkefninu verður rakin þróun upplýsingamiðlunar til almennings í COVID-19 faraldrinum. Farið verður yfir þróun hinna daglegu upplýsingafunda og covid.is heimasíðunnar, sem hvort tveggja gegndi lykilhlutverki í miðlun til almennings. Tekin verða viðtöl við lykilaðila og könnuð viðhorf almennings bæði um það sem vel tókst og það sem betur mætti fara, svo að sem mestur lærdómur verði dreginn af þessari einstæðu reynslu. School of Social Sciences COVID 19: Gender Equality- work and care Project title: COVID 19: Gender Equality- work and care Project manager(s): Guðný Björk Eydal, Professor; Ingólfur V. Gíslason, Professor Contact: ge@hi.is; ivg@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Social Work, Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics Abstract: Through a quantitative survey among parents the goal is to gain understanding of how COVID 19 and different restrictions and changes in working life have influenced the domestic life of couples with children. The study applies the questionarie “Gender (In)equality in Times of COVID-19” which was developed by Utrecht University, the University of Amsterdam, and Radboud University with permission from Utrecht University. The survey is conducted in several European countries. Leaders in Iceland during COVID-19 pandemic: Lived experience of demands, challenges and coping strategies Project title: Leaders in Iceland during COVID-19 pandemic: Lived experience of demands, challenges and coping strategies Project manager(s): Aðalbjörg Stefanía Helgadóttir, PhD student; Sigrún Gunnarsdóttir Professor; Dr. Erla Sólveig Kristjánsdóttir, Professor Contact: ash19@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Business Administration Funding: VIRK – Vocational Rehabilitation Fund Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 has been challenging for the infrastructure in Iceland, during which the general public has put their trust on leaders particularly in healthcare and educational services. The leaders have rarely or never confronted a task as extensive and with as much responsibility. Based on these considerations the purpose of this research is to gain insight into male and female senior leaders in Iceland, their lived experience of demands, challenges and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. The aims are to explore and answer the following research question by conducting a study based on phenomenological methodology: What is it like to be a leader in Iceland during COVID-19 pandemic in regard to demands, challenges and coping strategies? What is it like to be a leader in Iceland during COVID-19 pandemic in regard to demands, challenges and coping strategies? The main objectives of the study are threefold: a) To gain insight into lived experiences of leaders in the healthcare sector regarding demands, challenges and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. b) To gain insight into lived experiences of leaders in the educational sector regarding demands, challenges and coping strategies during the COVID-19 pandemic. c) To enrich knowledge on factors that might enhance overall wellbeing and gender equality of leaders when faced with a crisis. The world is faced with a situation without precedent in the year 2020, and leaders in healthcare and education around the globe are forced to address a heavy task which will affect important infrastructures. As far as known, leaders’ experience of demands, challenges and coping strategies during times without precedent has not been studied. This research is therefore important as it aims at providing knowledge concerning significant characteristics of leaders, male and female, during an extremely challenging situation, and provide findings that might enhance gender equality and overall wellbeing of both women and men leaders working in the two main sectors, education and healthcare, that people of the community rely heavily on during uncertain times. The findings will give valuable opportunities for utilization within the educational and health care sectors, and among leaders and managers who face challenges and demands. European Social Survey, Round 10 – COVID-19 Supplement Project title: European Social Survey, Round 10 – COVID-19 Supplement Project manager(s): Sigrún Ólafsdóttir, Professor; Guðbjörg Andrea Jónsdóttir, Director of the Social Science Research Institute Contact: sigruno@hi.is; gudbjorg@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics*, Social Science Research Institute** Abstract: The ESS ERIC which is a biennial survey conducted in around 30 European countries will field a special module directly on the COVID-19 situation. This involves fielding a harmonised set of around 20 items at the end of the already designed ESS Round 10 questionnaire. The data collection should have started in September 2020 but will most likely be postponed until spring 2021. Around 10 items will be developed by the Core Scientific Team of the ESS ERIC in collaboration with the National Coordinators participating in this initiative and another 10 items will be developed by a fast track competition to appoint two external users to field up to 5 items each on their own topic concerning the pandemic. ISSP 2021 Health and Healthcare II Project title: ISSP 2021 Health and Healthcare II Project manager(s): Sigrún Ólafsdóttir, Professor; Guðbjörg Andrea Jónsdóttir, Director of the Social Science Research Institute Contact: sigruno@hi.is; gudbjorg@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, Social Science Research Institute Abstract: The ISSP is a cross-national collaboration programme conducting annual surveys in around 40 countries on diverse topics relevant to social sciences. The surveys are designed for replication with rotating modules. The 2021 module that is under development is on health and healthcare. In view of the fact that the fieldwork on the Health and Health Care module will take place at a relatively short time after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic some questions will be added to capture its effect on public attitudes on health care. COVID-19 tracking Project title: COVID-19 tracking Project manager(s): Ari Klængur Jónsson, Project Manager; Guðbjörg Andrea Jónsdóttir, Director of the Social Science Research Institut; Jón Gunnar Bernburg, Professor; Magnús Þór Torfason, Associate Professor; Sigrún Ólafsdóttir, Professor; og Ævar Þórólfsson, Project Manager Contact: at@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Social Science Research Institute, Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, Faculty of Business Administration Abstract: The study is an online panel study monitoring how well the Icelandic population complied with the advice of the Chief Epidemiologist in Iceland throughout the period of restrictions. The questionnaire also includes questions on the number of people respondents have been in contact with in the last 24 hours, whether they have been tested for the virus and about their belief in the effectiveness of the actions taken in Iceland. The questionnaire has been sent to a sample of on average 300 members of the Social Science Research Institute’s Online Panel each day since the beginning of April and will continue until the first week of June (a total sample of around 10000 individuals). COVID-19 – attitudes, consequences and concerns Project title: COVID-19 – attitudes, consequences and concerns Project manager(s): Ari Klængur Jónsson, Project Manager; Guðbjörg Andrea Jónsdóttir, Director of the Social Science Research Institute; Jón Gunnar Bernburg, Professor; Magnús Þór Torfason, Associate Professor; Sigrún Ólafsdóttir, Professor; og Ævar Þórólfsson, Project Manager Contact: at@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Social Science Research Institute, Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics, Faculty of Business Administration Abstract: The study is an online panel study focusing on how worried people are about the pandemic and future consequences that it might have. The questionnaire also includes questions on trust in the government, specialists, health care system and the media, on people’s civic duties, on physical and mental health and changes in work and working conditions. The sample of 2000 individuals was drawn from the Social Science Research Institute’s Online Panel. Here is a link to a website on COVID-19 Studies in the Social Sciences (University of Iceland) Volunteering and donations during the Corona epidemic in Iceland Project title: Volunteering and donations during the Corona epidemic in Iceland Project manager(s): Steinunn Hrafnsdóttir, Professor; Ómar H. Kristmundsson, Professor Contact: steinhra@hi.is, omarhk@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Social work, Faculty of Political Sciences Abstract: In the research volunteering, helping and donations behaviour of individuals in the Icelandic population during the corona epidemic will be studied. The research will consist of a survey research. On later stages the intention is to do case studies and in-depth interviews. In the survey we will ask questions about if people have volunteered time, money or helped someone during the corona crisis. We will also ask if people, received any unpaid help during the COVID-19 outbreak. The consequences of the Corona epidemic on the third sector in Iceland Project title: The consequences of the Corona epidemic on the third sector in Iceland Project manager(s): Steinunn Hrafnsdóttir, Professor; Ómar H. Kristmundsson, Professor Contact: steinhra@hi.is, omarhk@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Social work, Faculty of Political Sciences Abstract: In the research the consequences of the Corona epidemic on third-sector organizations in Iceland will be studied. The research will consist of a survey research. In the survey research questions will be asked about changes in the operations of third sector organizations during the corona epidemic such as increase or decrease in services, programs, changes in human and financial resources, prospective managerial strategies dealing with the changes and relations with government (central and local). Best Practices and Crisis Management Strategies in the COVID-19 pandemic: Leadership and Expertise Project title: Best Practices and Crisis Management Strategies in the COVID-19 pandemic: Leadership and Expertise Project manager(s): Baldur Thorhallsson, Professor Contact: baldurt@hi.is Collaboration partners: Dr. Ásthildur Elva Bernharðsdóttir, part-time lecturer at the University of Iceland and ReykjavikurAkademia; Dr. Per Lægreid, Professor of public administration and organization theory at the University of Bergen; Dr. Fredrik Bynander, Associate Professor at the Swedish Defence University; Dr. Hanne Foss Hansen, Professor of Political Science at the University of Copenhagen Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Political Science Funding: The Directorate of Labour and the University of Iceland Abstract: The main aim of this research is to compare and evaluate the crisis management responses of Iceland, Norway, Denmark and Sweden and transfer knowledge between Nordic states on best practices and strategies in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic. The objective is to contribute to the global knowledge related to crisis management in preparation for a possible recurrence of the pandemic and future pandemics. The core focus of the research is on the question of political control versus professional autonomy. The purpose of the study is also to get insight into how different political models and leaderships are playing out in this crisis situation. We are facing problems of governance capacity but also about governance legitimacy. Fundamental questions about the effects of the COVID-19 response on politics - constitution, democracy, freedom, individual rights, trust etc. - will be addressed in order to understand government responses to the crisis. The research follows the process-tracing methodology developed by the Centre for Societal Security at the Swedish Defence University and Moynihan Institute of Global Affairs, Syracuse University. Several crises have been documented and analysed at the regional, national and international level, in various countries, as a part of crisis management research programs run by these institutes. Áhrif COVID-19 á líðan og geðheilsu stúdenta með tilliti til efnahags Project title: Áhrif COVID-19 á líðan og geðheilsu stúdenta með tilliti til efnahags Project manager(s): Sigrún Ólafsdóttir, Professor Contact: sigruno@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics Funding: Icelandic Student Innovation Fund Upplýst eða villandi Greining á fjölmiðlaumræðu um Covid-19 á Íslandi Project title: Upplýst eða villandi Greining á fjölmiðlaumræðu um COVID-19 á Íslandi Project manager(s): Sigrún Ólafsdóttir, Professor Contact: sigruno@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Sociology, Anthropology and Folkloristics Funding: Icelandic Student Innovation Fund The role of economic statistics as a governance tool after COVID-19: Comparative analysis Project title: The role of economic statistics as a governance tool after COVID-19: Comparative analysis Project manager(s): Þórhildur Hansdóttir Jetzek, Assistent Professor; Erla Björk Sigurðardóttir, student Contact: thjetzek@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Economics Funding: Icelandic Student Innovation Fund Abstract: COVID-19 faraldurinn hefur undirstrikað mikilvægi aðgengilegra, réttra og tímanlegra gagna og upplýsinga til almennings. Fordæmalausir tímar kalla á nýstárlegar aðgerðir og hraða ákvörðunartöku en ekki er síður mikilvægt að í kjölfar mesta áfallsins verði gögnum markvisst safnað og þau birt til að auka skilning á skilvirkni aðgerða, greina stöðu hagkerfisins á hverjum tíma og upplýsa stjórnvöld, fyrirtæki og hagsmunaaðila. Í þessu verkefni verður lögð áhersla á að safna upplýsingum og gögnum um viðbrögð Íslands og nágrannalanda við COVID-19, björgunarpakka og aðrar efnahagslegar aðgerðir og stöðu fyrirtækja og efnahagslífs í kjölfar faraldursins. Leitast verður við að leggja mat á hversu góð, tímanleg, áreiðanleg og aðgengileg gögnin eru fyrir greinendur og hagsmunaaðila og gerður samanburður á milli Íslands og nágrannalanda. Skoðað verður hvort markvisst sé verið að safna gögnum og greina til að skilja áhrif faraldursins á vinnumarkað, fyrirtæki og stöðu ríkis og sveitarfélaga. Hagkvæmni heimsóknarbanns á dvalar- og hjúkrunarheimilum í tengslum við faraldurinn Project title: Hagkvæmni heimsóknarbanns á dvalar- og hjúkrunarheimilum í tengslum við faraldurinn Project manager(s): Tinna Laufey Ásgeirsdóttir, Professor; Þórólfur Matthíasson, Professor Contact: ta@hi.is; totimatt@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Economics Funding: Icelandic Student Innovation Fund Abstract: Að bera saman þann ávinning sem hlaust af heimsóknarbanni og þær fórnir sem þurfti að færa vegna þess. Health and wellbeing of municipal employees in the wake of COVID-19 Project title: Health and wellbeing of municipal employees in the wake of COVID-19 Project manager(s): Guðbjörg Linda Rafnsdóttir, prófessor; Hjördís Sigursteinsdóttir, dósent Contact: glr@hi.is; hjordis@unak.is Main (research) discipline/department: Félagsfræði-, mannfræði- og þjóðfræðideild*, Viðskipta- og Raunvísindasvið (Háskólinn á Akureyri) Abstract: Health and wellbeing in times of economic crisis is a vital study object, both theoretically and practically. The economic crisis hit the world from time to time, often at short notice for employees even though the consequences can be harmful. In this century, a global bank crisis occurred in 2008, which hit Iceland very severely. Now the world is facing a new economic crisis in the wake of COVID-19. Our previous study shows increased sickness, lack of wellbeing, harassment, and violence among municipality employees in the wake of the global economic crisis in 2008. The study hitherto contains interviews and a five-wave longitudinal balanced panel dataset, based on data collected between the years 2010 and 2019, following the development in health and wellbeing in the wake of the global economic crisis. The sixth wave will be collected during autumn 2020, which gives us access to data about the health and wellbeing of municipality employees before and after COVID-19. New interviews, with focus on COVID-19 will also be conducted. The general trend in our data is that the wellbeing of the employees steadily deteriorated after the crisis in 2008 until the year 2015, and was still worse in 2019 than it was 2010. Therefore, it will be interesting to see whether a downturn will occur in work-related wellbeing among the employees due to COVID-19 and if the symptoms will be similar. We also ask whether the managers of the municipalities have learned from the 2008 crisis how to tackle such problems. School of Engineering and Natural ScienceEOSC Fast Track Project COVID-19 CT-Scan Repositories and Analysis Curation Project title: EOSC Fast Track Project COVID-19 CT-Scan Repositories and Analysis Curation Project manager(s): Professor Morris Riedel Contact: morris@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science Abstract: Headed by Prof. Dr. – Ing. Riedel [1], the joint research group of the University of Iceland and the Juelich Supercomputing Centre (JSC) of Forschungszentrum Juelich (FZJ) currently analyze a variety of publicly available COVID-19 Computer Tomography (CT) Scan datasets based on profound knowledge in studying respiratory. The group also has a long proven track record in using large-scale deep learning models in image analysis for hyperspectral remote sensing datasets using high-performance computing or using cloud computing. Selected methods used with remote sensing datasets are now also used by group members with COVID-19 CT scan datasets leading to a variety of pre-processed datasets and trained models. The group also collaborates for validation purposes with the company E*HealthLine that develops an AI system that identifies the novel virus through CT scans of the chest. Based on data from E*HealthLine that offers hospitals an integrated healthcare information management system, algorithms have been trained with deep learning using CT scan datasets from more than 22,000 confirmed coronavirus cases so far. The public datasets and those of E*HealthLine will also be shared, as well as the pre-processed data and deep learning models of the research group validated together with E*HealthLine can be shared and made available, thus addressing the objective ‘opening up scientific data on the virus‘ of this emergency call. By using the B2SHARE service of the European Open Science Cloud (EOSC), the team improve the Findability, Accessibility, Interoperability, and Reuse (FAIR) of this digital Covid-19 dataset, thus sharing it with the larger community. Early access to DEEP-EST supercomputer for COVID-19 researchers Project title: Early access to DEEP-EST supercomputer for COVID-19 researchers Project manager(s): Helmut Wolfram Neukirchen, Professor Contact: helmut@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Industrial Engineering, Mechanical Engineering and Computer Science Abstract: The H2020 project „Dynamical Exascale Entry Platform - Extreme Scale Technologies“ (DEEP-EST, European Union's Horizon 2020 grant agreement no. 754304) develops the prototype of the next generation supercomputer. Via it's early access programme, DEEP-EST offers a fast-track access to supercomputing resources. To support COVID-19 researchers who need to do, e.g. computational intensive simulations or machine learning, the access programme has been extended. Example simulation software running on the DEEP-EST hardware is GROMACS, a molecular dynamics code, which is designed for computer simulation of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids, and is used for investigating viruses, such as SARS-CoV-2. Information on the DEEP-EST early access programme can be found here on the following web page: https://www.deep-projects.eu/access.html Nature-based tourism in renewable energy landscapes Project title: Nature-based tourism in renewable energy landscapes Project manager(s): Anna Dóra Sæþórsdóttir, Professor Contact: annadora@hi.is Collaboration partners: Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources and The Icelandic Travel Industry Association (SAF) Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Life and Environmental Sciences Funding: Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources Abstract: Tourism is one of the industries most affected by the COVID-19 due to travel restrictions put in place to fight the epidemic. Consequently, research focusing on tourism must identify and address potential challenges and opportunities brought by the COVID-19 to this industry. Present research primarily focuses on the interrelationships of nature-based tourism and renewable energy infrastructure and investigates preferences of the tourism industry operating in Iceland for the future land-use and management of the Central Highlands of Iceland. The study employs mixed research methods which, among other, include semi-structured interviews with the tourism industry and an online questionnaire sent to all travel agencies and tour operators in Iceland. This study touches up on the impacts of COVID-19 on tourism in several ways. During the interviews with the tourism industry possible changes in reliance on tourism as one of the main economic sectors in Iceland due to COVID-19 are discussed as well as potentially increased importance of other sectors, such as energy, for the economy of the country. It is furthermore discussed what actions should be taken to increase the resilience of the Icelandic tourism industry during the events such as COVID-19 epidemic. The online questionnaire includes questions focusing on the strengths of Iceland as a tourism destination in the context of COVID-19 and on potential opportunities provided by COVID-19 for more sustainable tourism practices in Iceland. This data is expected to provide insights on lessons to be learnt from the COVID-19 epidemic while strengthening the sustainability of tourism. HOMERISK: Risk management strategies Project title: HOMERISK: Risk management strategies when households face collapsing electricity and digital infrastructure Project manager(s): Björn Karlsson, Associate Professor; Böðvar Tómasson, PhD student Contact: bjornk@hi.is Collaboration partners: Consumer Research Institute of Norway (Forbruksforskningsinstituttet SIFO); Risk and Crisis Research Centre (Mid Sweden University) Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Civil and Environmental Engineering Funding: Norwegian Research Fund Abstract: The project started already in 2014. The project took four years to complete and a final report was produced in 2018. The theme of the project was to investigate the role of citizens in modern risk perception and risk assessment, with focus on household vulnerability in situations where infrastructures break down, with cascading effects and prolonged fallouts of public services as a result. As a case study the collapse of electricity and digital infrastructure was investigated as a case study. Since public services fail to a considerable extent, each home must be self sustaining while most of the disaster runs it´s course. A special focus was on the official National Risk Assessment plans for Iceland, Norway and Sweden. An analysis of those showed that far too little emphasis was put on the role of the citizen and each home in preparing and surviving a disaster with a wide reaching effect, such as the COVID-19 pandemic. „HOMERISK“, HOMERISK project website, oct. 26, 2019. www.homerisk.no. Here is a link to an article about the project published in the International Journal of Risk Reduction: The role of households in Nordic national risk assessments COVID-19 NATIONAL RESILIENCE COHORT Project title: COVID-19 NATIONAL RESILIENCE COHORT Project manager(s): Unnur Anna Valdimarsdóttir, Professor Contact: unnurav@hi.is Collaboration partners: Arna Hauksdóttir, professor at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland; Edda Björk Þórðardóttir, post-doctoral researcher at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland; Berglind Guðmundsdóttir, professor and head psychologist at the National University Hospital of Iceland; Harpa Rúnarsdóttir, project manager at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland; Harpa Lind Jónsdóttir, post-doctoral researcher at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland; Thor Aspelund, professor at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland; Jóhanna Jakobsdóttir, assistant professor at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland; Gunnar Tómasson, associate professor at the faculty of medicine of the University of Iceland; Dóra Guðrún Guðmundsdóttir, head of the public health department at the Directorate of Health; Hildur Björk Sigbjörnsdóttir, project manager at the Directorate of Health; Alma D. Möller, Director of Health; Sigríður Haraldsd Elínardóttir, head of the health information department at the Directorate of Health; Þórólfur Guðnason, Chief Epidemiologist, the Directorate of Health Main (research) discipline/department: Centre of Public Health Sciences Abstract: The COVID-19 National Resilience Cohort is a nationwide study on the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on health and well-being of Icelanders. The target population are all individuals, 18 years or older, residing in Iceland, with electronic/Bank IDs. The participants answer an extensive web-based questionnaire on their mental and physical health, exposure to COVID-19 related factors within the family, change in lifestyle and social interactions. The participants are then prospectively followed in subsequent study waves and by record linkage to the nationwide health registers. The COVID-19 pandemic is having an unprecedented influence on the global economy and population health. Indeed, as a potent global disaster it is likely to affect population health, through altered lifestyle and mental distress, also in a Nordic welfare state such as Iceland. With population-based health registers allowing long-term follow-up of the health trajectories of an entire nation, Iceland has unique prerequisites for contributing significantly to the knowledgebase in this important area. The overarching aim of the COVID-19 National Resilience Cohort is to significantly advance our understanding of the role of the COVID-19 pandemic on population health, in the short and long term. The specific aims are to improve the understanding of: – the influence of the pandemic on stress-related symptoms, psychological health and lifestyle of the nation – the influence of COVID-19 specific exposures, e.g. suspected or confirmed COVID-19 infections within families, underlying risk factors, quarantine, isolation or changes in the economies, lifestyle and social interactions on stress levels, mental well being and health. – the role of resilience factors and adaptive lifetyle in mitigating harmful health effects of the pandemic in the short and long run FREE FATTY ACIDS DESTROY ENVELOPED VIRUSES Project title: FREE FATTY ACIDS DESTROY ENVELOPED VIRUSES INCL. SARS-CoV-2 Project manager(s): Einar Stefánsson, Professor Contact: estefans@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Medicine Abstract: Free fatty acids (FFA) from fish oil are known to destroy enveloped viruses incl. Corona viruses and RS viruses. We have developed a patented product containing Free fatty acids (FFA) in fish oil to use as mouth wash to destroy SARS-CoV-2 and other enveloped viruses in the mouth and pharynges and reduce transmission of viruses (1) from an infected person and (2) to a We seek partners to test virucidal effect in vitro and in saliva in clinical studies. Partners for clinical studies are needed as well as commercial partners. COVID-19 Staff Testing of Antibody Responses Study Project title: COVID-19 Staff Testing of Antibody Responses Study (CO-STARS) Project manager(s): Ásgeir Haraldsson, Professor; Valtýr Stefánsson Thors, Infectiologist at Barnaspítali Hringsins Contact: asgeir@landspitali.is; valtyr@lsh.is Collaboration partners: DeCode, Great Ormond Street Hospital, few other children hospitals in Europe Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Medicine Funding: DeCode did conduct the tests without getting any payment for it. Physicians at GOS in London have funding for data processing and probably for publication. Abstract: Primary objective: To determine the cross-sectional prevalence of seropositivity to SARS-CoV-2, the virus causing COVID19 amongst healthcare workers working in paediatric health care facilities. A seroprevalence study on the prevalence of antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 in hostpital staff in the Childrens Hospital Iceland. The study is a part of a larger seroprevalence study, including several paediatric hospitals in Europe, co-ordinated by professor David Glodblatt at Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, University College London, UK. Health-care personnel are at increased risk for SARS CoV-2 infection. It is important to evaluate the prevalence of these infections and measure specific, protective antibody production by these individuals. The aim of the study is to describe the prevalence of specific antibodies in HCP in several European paediatric hospitals. Research in nursing in relation to COVID-19 pandemic Project title: Research in nursing in relation to COVID-19 pandemic Project manager(s): Helga Jónsdóttir, Professor Contact: helgaj@hi.is Collaboration partners: Brynja Ingadóttir, lektor; Sigríður Zoega, dósent; Marianne E. Klinke, dósent; Elín J.G. Hafsteinsdóttir, hjúkrunarfræðingur LSH; Katrín Blöndal, sérfræðingur í hjúkrun á LSH og aðjúnkt; Berglind Chu, sérfræðingur í hjúkrun á LSH; Sigríður Heimisdóttir, sérfræðingur í hjúkrun LSH og hópur hjúkrunarfræðinga í Covid göngudeild Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Nursing Abstract: As a part of a bigger research project, VISN: 20-078 Disease course of COVID-19 among patients undergoing extensive risk assessment and comprehensive and organized follow-up and management, project manager Runólfur Pálsson, MD, Professor and forstöðumaður Lyflækninga- og endurhæfingarþjónustu Landspítala, the following research projects in nursing are in process. 1. What is the structure of the nursing practice for people infected with COVID-19 patient in the outpatient clinic? 2. What is the content of the interventions provided in the outpatient clinic for people infected with COVID-19? 3. How were clinical decisions made to determine the seriousness of the people’s health condition and how was progress between stages of seriousness determined? 4. What is the experience of the people infected with COVID-19 of their disease and the nursing care in the COVID-19 outpatient clinic? (initial steps) 1. What is the content of the nursing care for patients in isolation on hospital wards – the infection disease unit and the lung unit? (Lead by Marianne E. Klinke) Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys - PaRIS Project title: Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys - PaRIS Project manager(s): Kjartan Vífill Iversen, Researcher Contact: paris@hi.is Collaboration partners: OECD Main (research) discipline/department: School of Health Sciences Abstract: PaRIS is the OECD’s Patient-Reported Indicator Surveys initiative where countries work together on developing, standardising and implementing a new generation of indicators that measure the outcomes and experiences of health care that matter most to people. The International Survey of People Living with Chronic Conditions is the first of its kind to assess the outcomes and experiences of patients managed in primary care across countries. The PaRIS survey aims to fill a critical gap in primary health care, by asking about aspects like access to health care & waiting times, as well as quality of life, pain, physical functioning & psychological well-being What matters to people? How do people with chronic conditions feel about their own health? Do people with chronic conditions feel involved in decisions made about their care? To what extent do chronic conditions limit people in participating in social activities? How do outcomes and experiences vary with people from different socio-economic backgrounds? Who will PaRIS help? POLICY MAKERS, by having better information on where to focus quality improvement efforts and prioritise spending PATIENTS, by having their say on their outcomes and experiences HEALTH CARE PROVIDERS, by better understanding how to improve the quality of the care they provide PaRIS fosters a dialogue with policy makers, health care providers, and patients about how to improve the performance and people-centredness of primary care services. Nutritional status of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Iceland Project title: Nutritional status of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Iceland Project manager(s): Áróra Rós Ingadóttir, Assistant professor Contact: aroraros@hi.is or aroraros@lsh.is Collaboration partners: Sandra Dögg Guðnadóttir, student in clinical nutrition; Ingibjörg Gunnarsdóttir, professor; Jenný Kaaber, clinical nutritionist; Ragnar Freyr Ingvarsson, Specialist. Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Food Sciences and Nutrition, School of Health Sciences Abstract: The aim of the study is to describe the nutritional status of hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Iceland and assess whether nutritional status is associated with the length of hospital stay and in hospital mortality. School of HumanitiesThe Impact of COVID-19 on tourism, society and visions of the future in Hornafjörður municipality Project title: The Impact of COVID-19 on tourism, society and visions of the future in Hornafjörður municipality Project manager(s): Soffía Auður Birgisdóttir, Research Scholar; Þorvarður Árnason, Director; Arndís Lára Kolbrúnardóttir, Project manager; Arndís Ósk Magnúsdóttir, student; Hafdís Lára Sigurðardóttir, student Contact: thorvarn@hi.is; soffiab@hi.is Collaboration partner: Hornafjörður Community Main (research) discipline/department: University of Iceland: Rural research center in Hornafjörður; University of Iceland Funding: Hornafjörður Community Abstract: The main goal is to shed some light on how tourism in Hornafjörður is maintained after some thought challenges due to COVID-19. The research project has two main aspects. First off owners of tourism companies were interviewed, to look into the impact COVID-19 has had on tourism companies and their employees in the municipality, focusing especially on psychological and economical impacts. Secondly interviews were conducted with foreign workers working in tourism, to look into how COVID-19 has affected their rights and wellbeing. Philosophical challenges in pandemic times Project title: Philosophical challenges in pandemic times Project manager(s): Eyja Margrét Brynjarsdóttir, Professor; Finnur Ulf Dellsén, Associate Professor; Vilhjálmur Árnason, Professor; Ásthildur Gyða Garðarsdóttir, student; Hörður Brynjar Halldórsson, student; Victor Karl Magnússon, student; Vigdís Hafliðadóttir, student Contact: eyjabryn@hi.is Collaboration partners: The Center of Ethics, dAton, The Icelandic Web of Science, Directorate of Health Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of History and Philosophy Funding: Icelandic Student Innovation Fund Abstract: The COVID-19 epidemic has raised many fundamental questions about government decisions, ethical issues in the health sector, public rights and responsibilities, risk assessment and different interests, the provision of information to the public and trust in science. This project investigates the COVID-19 epidemic and the response to it from several sub-areas within philosophy: applied ethics, political philosophy, feminist philosophy, and epistemology/science philosophy. The project is hosted by The Institute of Ethics at the University of Iceland and students work on it under the direction of Eyja Brynjarsdóttir, Finnur Dellsén and Vilhjálmur Árnason by analysing the main events and issues which have arisen in connection with the epidemic from a philosophical and ethical point of view. Partners are The Icelandic Web of Science, the data analysis company dAton, The Icelandic Women's Rights Association, and the Directorate of Health. School of EducationPreschool education during COVID-19 Project title: Preschool education during COVID-19 Project manager(s): Jóhanna Einarsdóttir, Professor and Eyrún M. Rúnarsdóttir Contact: joein@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Education and Pedagogy Abstract: The aim of the study is on the one hand, to gain information about how preschools adjusted to the unusual circumstances during the COVID-19 ban on gatherings and to gain understanding of the experiences of preschool educators. On the other hand, the aim was to gain information about the experiences and views of parents to the preschool and their children well-being during the restrictions. The research questions guiding the inquiry are: 1) How did the preschool adjust of the restrictions that they had to face during the gathering ban? 2) Did the preschool curricula change during and after the COVID-19 gathering ban? 3) What influence did the epidemic and the gathering ban have on the children? 4) What influence did the epidemic and the gathering ban have on family life? These questions will be answered by conducting focus-group interviews with preschool educators and with parents of preschool children. Upper secondary education and the COVID-19 ban on gatherings: Crisis, challenges, and adaptability Project title: Upper secondary education and the COVID-19 ban on gatherings: Crisis, challenges, and adaptability Project manager(s): Guðrún Ragnarsdóttir, Assistant Professor; Súsanna Margrét Gestsdóttir, Adjunct Lecturer Contact: gudrunr@hi.is, susmar@hi.is Collaboration partners: Elsa Eiríksdóttir, Associate Professor, Faculty of Subject Teacher Education, School of Education, University of Iceland: elsae@hi.is; Amalía Björnsdóttir, Professor, Faculty of Health Promotion, Sport and Leisure Studies, School of Education, University of Iceland: amaliabj@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Education and Pedagogy Abstract: The global crisis brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic has had an enormous impact on Icelandic upper secondary schools. Due to the governmental ban on gatherings, all schoolwork shifted to distance education over one weekend. Simultaneously, the domestic situation changed for most families. The home became a workplace for many parents, a classroom for the students, and even a kindergarten. This unprecedented situation provides a unique opportunity to study the impact of a sudden crisis within the home and the educational context. The aim of this project is to explore how upper secondary school leaders, counsellors, teachers, students and parents perceived the impact of the ban on gatherings. The study will focus particularly on the conversion from classroom to distance education and its long-term effects. Extensive and diverse data will be collected and distinct methods used. Its national and international value concerns research on various aspects of education and social justice and the interplay of the principal stakeholders. A well-documented example of one country, Iceland here, should serve others who are doing research in the field, contributing to a body of knowledge of how to react when disaster strikes but also to learning what to avoid and to identifying vulnerable groups. Chaos ruined the children’s sleep, diet and behaviour Project title: “Chaos ruined the children’s sleep, diet and behaviour”: Gendered discourses on family life under COVID-19 lock down Project manager(s): Auður Magndís Auðardóttir, PhD student; Annadís Greta Rúdólfsdóttir, Associate Professor Contact: ama@hi.is; annadis@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Education and Diversity Abstract: This study adopts a post-structuralist perspective to look at discourses on family life and its gendered manifestations during COVID-19. Disruption of work, child care services and schools during COVID-19 have had an impact and placed a strain on family lives of working parents. Gendered patterns of intensification of parenthood (in particular motherhood) have been well documented in most financially well-off countries. It has brought to the light the gendered nature of care-work in the home. We collected data using story completion method. Participants were randomly assigned a story stem which described either a mother or a father of two compulsory school aged children who had to deal with disruption in school services duringCOVID-19. The participants were asked to describe the next days in the partent’s life. In total, 97 story were collected through social media in Iceland at a time when social restrictions during COVID-19 where at its most severe. Participants where overwhelmingly university educated women. Preliminary findings show discourses of high tensions where parents meet the competing demands of parenthood and employment mainly in three ways: with discipline and positivity, with resistance to the demands or with failiure and exhaustion. Several gendered patterns were reveiled most notably that the storytellers imagined how COVID-19 taught misogynistic and traditional male bread-winners a hard earned lesson in housework. The article has been accepted for publication in Gender, Work and Organization. Educamps online: University support of digital learning in schools Project title: Educamps online: University support of digital learning in schools Project manager(s): Sólveig Jakobsdóttir, Professor; Hróbjartur Árnason, Assistant Professor; Salvör Gissurardóttir, Assistant Professor; Svava Pétursdóttir, Assistant Professor; Ingvar Sigurgeirsson, Professor; Sólveig Zophoníasdóttir, Doctoral student (also works at University of Akureyri) Contact: soljak@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Centre for Educational Research on ICT and Media in Education, Faculty of Subject Teacher Education, Faculty of Education and Diversity, Faculty of Education and Pedagogy Collaboration partners: Kristín Dýrfjörð, Associate Professor, University of Akureyri. Consultation and support from Reykjavík Municipality Department of Education and Youth, The Directorate of Education, The Icelandic Teachers' Union, The Education and Training Service Centre, and the EducationPlaza, Funding: University of Iceland (Support for public outreach by academic staff) Abstract: During the COVID-19 crisis, seven academic staff members at the University of Iceland and University of Akureyri decided to support teachers at different school levels by organizing educamps (edcamps or teachmeets) online focusing on digital and online technologies in education. Educamps are informal learning experiences with peer learning which have become popular in Iceland for the last years for teachers professional development (PD) with an emphasis on ICT in education. They have been conducted in different schools and school districts across the country but had not previously been offered online. We applied a design-based research method to develop this type of PD online. We ran three events online in March through May with 50-200 participants in each event. Presentations were recorded and information gathered from participants with online surveys and during discussions at the end of each event. We are in the process of writing a paper describing our work and have received funding from University of Iceland to continue our work, developing this model further and publish a handbook for practitioners who want to offer this type of PD. Here is a link to a chapter on the project published by the European Distance and E-Learning Network (EDEN); Enhancing the Human Experience of Learning with Technology New challenges for research into digital, open, distance & networked education. Survey among school leaders in compulsory schools in Iceland during the period of limitation and some times closing of the schools due to COVID-19 Project title: Survey among school leaders in compulsory schools in Iceland during the period of limitation and some times closing of the schools due to COVID-19 Project manager(s): Kristín Jónsdóttir, Associate Professor; Anna Kristín Sigurðardóttir, Professor; Arna Hólmfríður Jónsdóttir, Associate Professor; Sólveig Jakobsdóttir, Professor; Ársæll Már Arnarson, Professor; Kolbrún Pálsdóttir, Associate Professor Contact: kjons@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Education and Pedagogy, Faculty of Subject Teacher Education, Faculty of Health Promotion, Sport and Leisure Studies Abstract: The purpose of the survey is to gather information and knowledge how compulsory school leaders coped with the limitation and in some cases closing of the schools in Iceland due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Survey among leisure managers in compulsory schools in Iceland during the period closing of the schools due to COVID-19 Project title: Survey among leisure managers in compulsory schools in Iceland during the period closing of the schools due to COVID-19 Project manager(s): Ársæll Már Arnarson, Professor; Kolbrún Pálsdóttir, Associate Professor and Steingerður Kristjánsdóttir, adjunkt. Contact: arsaell@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Health Promotion, Sport and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Education and Diversity Abstract: The purpose of the survey is to gather information and knowledge how compulsory schools teachers coped with the limitation and in some cases closing of the schools in Iceland due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Survey among teachers in compulsory schools... Project title: Survey among teachers in compulsory schools in Iceland during the period of limitation and some times closing of the schools due to COVID-19 Project manager(s): Kristín Jónsdóttir, dósent; Sólveig Jakobsdóttir, prófessor; Ársæll Már Arnarson, prófessor; Kolbrún Pálsdóttir, dósent Contact: kjons@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Deild kennslu- og menntunarfræði, Deild faggreinakennslu, Deild heilsueflingar, íþrótta og tómstunda Abstract: The purpose of the survey is to gather information and knowledge how compulsory school leaders coped with the limitation and in some cases closing of the schools in Iceland due to the COVID-19 epidemic. Survey among upper secondary school employees in Iceland during the closing of the schools due to COVID-19 Project title: Survey among upper secondary school employees in Iceland during the closing of the schools due to COVID-19 Project manager(s): Guðrún Ragnarsdóttir, Assistant Professor; Elsa Eiríksdóttir, Associate Professor; Sólveig Jakobsdóttir, Professor; Kolbrún Pálsdóttir, Associate Professor Contact: gudrunr@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Subject Teacher Education, Faculty of Health Promotion, Sport and Leisure Studies Abstract: The purpose of the survey was to gather information and knowledge on how secondary school employees coped with the closing of all secondary schools in Iceland due to COVID-19 epidemic in spring 2020. The total response rate was: 1034 (47%). COVID-19 influencing preschools practice in Iceland „they have more time for free-play Project title: COVID-19 influencing preschools practice in Iceland „they have more time for free-play“ Project manager(s): Ingibjörg Ósk Sigurðardóttir, Assistant Professor; Svava Björg Mörk, Adjunct Lecturer Contact: ios@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Education and Pedagogy Abstract: In Iceland, all preschools work according to the Preschool Act. No. 90/2008 and the National Curriculum Guidelines. However, the daily schedule can vary between different preschools and is related to each preschools’ emphasis and the preschool teachers’ view on children and their learning. Scholars have pointed out how important it is to create a balance between teachers lead activities and children lead activities in the schedule. Some scholars believe that the daily schedule is a tool that educators us to control in the preschool setting. However, nowadays there is an increased emphasis on children’s rights where their needs and interest are considered when the practice is organized in Icelandic preschools. Furthermore, each child’s opportunity to influence her or his own learning is emphasised in line with the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child. The aim of the study was to shed light on how COVID-19 and the ban of gathering that followed, influenced preschool practice in Iceland. The ban was set on March 16th and lasted over seven weeks, until the 4th of May. The ban of gathering in preschools was implemented differently in each municipality in Iceland, even though the main preschools practice was limited everywhere in Iceland. Data was gathered through mixed methods. On the one hand, through individual interviews with preschool principals, preschool teachers, first year preschool teacher students and preschool teacher students in their fifth year, at a master level. The interviews were conducted during the ban season when the preschool practice was limited. The interviews where 16 in total. On the other hand, data was gathered through questionnaire sent to all preschool principals in Iceland, 241 in total, shortly after the preschools opened fully again after the ban. Participants were asked if and how COVID-19 influenced children’s play, children’s autonomy, and the daily schedule. Moreover, how the ban of gathering influenced participants’ professional identity and how they felt during it. Preliminary results imply that the ban of gathering had considerable influence on the preschool practice. For example, the influence was identified concerning children’s play. The groups were smaller than The impact of the COVID-19 viral epidemic and changes in University practice on university students' learning and well-being Project title: The impact of the COVID-19 viral epidemic and changes in University practice on university students' learning and well-being Project manager(s): Amalía Björnsdóttir, Professor; Þuríður Jóna Jóhannsdóttir, Professor Contact: amaliabj@hi.is; thuridur@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Health Promotion, Sport and Leisure Studies, Faculty of Subject Teacher Education Abstract: The survey includes questions about students' attitudes and well-being in the era of COVID-19. The aim is to assess the student’s views of the University's response to the unusual times do to closing of the University. The purpose of the survey is to gather information in order to respond to the problems that have arisen and to assess whether specific groups need special support. The impact of the COVID-19 viral epidemic and the working conditions of the staff of the University of Iceland Project title: The impact of the COVID-19 viral epidemic and the working conditions of the staff of the University of Iceland Project manager(s): Kolbrún Pálsdóttir, Associate Professor and Ellen Dröfn Gunnarsdóttir, Project Manager Contact: kolbrunp@hi.is Main (research) discipline/department: Faculty of Health Promotion, Sport and Leisure Studies Abstract: The purpose of the survey is to gather information on how the University of Iceland staff both teachers and administration cope with changes in their work environment do to COVID-19. facebooklinkedintwitter
