A team of researchers at UCD College of Business is engaged in a European study about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on people’s daily lives.

“It is vital that we have a good sense of how this pandemic affects how people live and work, and how this in turn impacts their acceptance of and adherence to government policies,” said Professor of Marketing Susi Geiger. “We are in an unprecedented situation, and deep insights into the lived experiences of this situation can help policy makers make decisions that reflect best where people are.”

The fact that this is a comparative study across nine countries will help in seeing how cultural differences interact with different government policies. —Professor Susi Geiger

“We are very excited to be part of a very strong European team of leading social scientists engaged in this unique and timely research project,” said Professor Geiger who leads the MISFIRES project, a €2m EU H2020 initiative that investigates failures in healthcare markets and how groups including industry, government and civil society may innovate together for better markets in the future.

This international study on Solidarity in Times of Pandemics is led by Professor Barbara Prainsack at the University of Vienna, and is designed to learn how citizens respond to the pandemic and what they think about measures suggested or imposed by their governments to slow down the spread of the virus.

This information will help policy makers make better decisions during future waves of COVID-19 or new pandemics in areas of preparedness, prevention and containment.

This study is unique as it spans across the continent gathering in-depth views from citizens of nine countries, including Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, as well as the Republic of Ireland.

If you would like to take part in this study or receive more information, please email Professor Susi Geiger at susi.geiger@ucd.ie or contact Post-Doctoral Research Fellow Ilaria Galasso at 01 7164648 or ilaria.galasso@ucd.ie.

More information about the study can be found here.