Friday, July 10, 2020

Famlee Lab Research Influencing How the U is Responding to the Pandemic

The Famlee Lab, directed by Richard Lee, PhD in the Department of Psychology at the University of Minnesota, recently surveyed students, faculty, and staff about their social and personal experiences during the COVID-19 pandemic, including the university's response to the pandemic and the impact of social distancing and remote learning/work on health and wellness.  The Lab is also concerned about how the pandemic has become a lightning rod for existing xenophobia and prejudice in society.  Participants were surveyed three times over a two month period. This longitudinal study design allowed Lee and his team to modify the survey each time it was administered to reflect current events, including the relaxing of social distancing policies and the George Floyd murder and subsequent protests.  Selected responses to the study were presented to the UMN Board of Regents during their June 2020 meeting.  The Lab's research also was profiled by the Minnesota Daily in a recent article titled “UMN launches study measuring University impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic."