What worried me even more was

the extent of the isolation. Within

a few days of learning that I’d

be working at home for at least

6 weeks, I found out that a confer-

ence I was planning to attend in

June was canceled. Not only was

I going to miss my work environ-

ment, but I was also going to lose a

great opportunity to meet research-

ers from around the world, share

ideas, and present my work.

On the last day we were all in the

lab together, my postdoc adviser

mentioned he wanted to start an

online seminar series. At first I felt

relieved, thinking that virtual semi-

nars would at least provide some re-

spite from isolation. But I doubted

they would measure up to the

experience of in-person seminars.

Together with another lab head, my adviser spread the

word that they were starting a Slack group, where research-

ers in our field—the science of aging—could have discussions

and sign up to give seminars. The group quickly amassed

roughly 600 members, and the speaker list filled up. That

seemed promising, but I still wondered how many scientists

would actually tune in to the seminars, which were slated to

take place once every workday.

One week after our university closed, I settled into my

makeshift work-from-home desk and logged on to my first

virtual seminar. I was pleasantly surprised to see some

familiar names online, some from as far away as Brazil and

China. Midway through the talk, I noticed that more than

250 researchers were watching. As I took notes, jotting

down intriguing experiments and impressive techniques,

the unfamiliarity of the experience faded. I realized that

despite being alone in my apartment, I was taking part in

an event with researchers from around the world, some

probably motivated by the same fear of isolation I had felt.

We have continued the daily seminars in the weeks

since then, hearing from senior sci-

entists, Ph.D. students, postdocs,

and others in our field. After each

seminar, we ask the speaker ques-

tions on Slack and take part in a

group discussion about their re-

search. I’ve found the talks helpful

for learning about new lab tech-

niques and identifying researchers

whom I might be able to collabo-

rate with in the future.

We’ve also used our Slack group

to connect in more personal ways,

such as by sharing updates on

COVID-19 cases in our respec-

tive countries and commiserating

about struggles that we’re going

through. I have been able to re-

connect with colleagues whom I

met at conferences years ago but

had since lost touch with. My sense

of isolation has faded, and—perhaps counterintuitively—

I feel more connected than ever.

I began my work-at-home experience worried about los-

ing the opportunity to connect with my colleagues. But I

now realize that I am part of a global research community

that can thrive online. I plan to continue my conversa-

tions with colleagues via our Slack group long after the

pandemic is quelled. That will allow us to connect year-

round, not just during our field’s annual conference, and

to include researchers for whom travel is difficult.

If you find yourself lonely working from home, I’d

recommend starting your own online community with col-

leagues in your field. We’re facing tough times and an un-

certain future. But it’s also an opportunity to rethink how

we interact with one another, in ways that will benefit the

scientific community in the long term. j

Arpit Sharma is a postdoctoral scholar at the Harvard T. H. Chan School

of Public Health in Boston. Do you have an interesting career story to

share? Send it to [email protected].

“My sense of isolation

has faded, and ... I feel more

connected than ever.”

Finding community during a pandemic

I

n early March, the first cases of COVID-19 were reported in my city, Boston. Suddenly, our univer-

sity inundated us with emails encouraging good hygiene practices and social distancing. Then,

a few days later, we were informed that all noncritical research should stop and that mandatory

work-from-home policies would be implemented. Anxiety spread like wildfire. I had not expected

my work life on campus to stop so suddenly. My lab mates and I think of our workspace as a home

away from home, where we enjoy interacting at lab meetings and over coffee. I felt a pit in my

stomach as I realized all that was over for now. I was afraid of feeling isolated.

By Arpit Sharma

ILLUSTRATION: ROBERT NEUBECKER

206 10 APRIL 2020 • VOL 368 ISSUE 6487 sciencemag.org SCIENCE

WORKING LIFE

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