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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