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This discussion paper by a group of scholars across the fields of health, economics
and labour relations argues that COVID-19 is an unprecedented humanitarian crisis
from which there can be no return to the ‘old normal’. The pandemic’s disastrous
worldwide health impacts have been exacerbated by, and have compounded, the
unsustainability of economic globalisation based on the neoliberal dismantling of state
capabilities in favour of markets. Flow-on economic impacts have simultaneously
created major supply and demand disruptions, and highlighted the growing withincountry
inequalities and precarity generated by neoliberal regimes of labour market
regulation. Taking an Australian and international perspective, we examine these
economic and labour market impacts, paying particular attention to differential
impacts on First Nations people, developing countries, women, immigrants and young
people. Evaluating policy responses in a political climate of national and international
leadership very different from those in which major twentieth century crises were
addressed, we argue the need for a national and international conversation to
develop a new pathway out of crisis.

Working Paper. This is a paper intended for a specific community of recipients. Handling and further distribution are under the sole responsibility of community members. On the 11th March 2020 the World Health Organisation declared the outbreak of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) a global pandemic. Since then governments across Europe have introduced unprecedented measures in order to help slow the spread of the virus. This has led to a new and unusual way of life for millions of Europeans, which includes social distancing, self-isolation, quarantining, working from home, home-schooling children, job losses and economic hardship, and, for some, the loss of family members and friends. The COVID-19 outbreak is clearly taking a social, economic and psychological toll, and already there are the first indications of its intersectional gendered effects. Some of these have been highlighted by organisations such as the European Institute for Gender Equality (EIGE) and Nesta, and will require further research: 2  While the infection rate is similar for men and women, men have a higher mortality rate for medical as well as social reasons.  There is a possibility of severe job losses in women-dominated professions, such as tourism, retail, contract cleaning, hairdressing, etc.  Unpaid care work will increase, with additional caring responsibilities likely to be taken on by women.  Physical distancing is not an option for everyone, particularly nurses and professional carers (who are mainly female).  There is an increased risk of domestic abuse, with women in violent relationships often socially isolating with their abuser.  There are indications that a permanent increase in flexible and home working arrangements will affect women and men differently. In response to the coronavirus outbreak, the European Commission has published a ‘First “ERAvsCORONA” ACTION PLAN: short-term coordinated Research and Innovations actions’3 , has established a dedicated online resource for EU supported research and innovation projects and initiatives to tackle the spread of coronavirus and preparedness for other outbreaks4 and a case study on the impact of sex and gender in the COVID-19 pandemic5 . Research Funding Organisations as well as Research Performing Organisations in Member States have 1 This position paper has been drafted by the Gender and COVID-19 Task Force of SWG GRI, with Ross Woods as rapporteur and Tjasa Bericic, Jacqueline Grech, Jennifer Harper, Simona Isler, Marcela Linkova, Irene Rehmann, and Mijja Saari as members. 2 https://eige.europa.eu/news/coronavirus-puts-women-frontline https://www.nesta.org.uk/blog/there-will-be-no-back-normal/ 3 https://ec.europa.eu/info/sites/info/files/research_and_innovation/resea... 4 https://ec.europa.eu/info/research-and-innovation/research-area/health-r... 5 Oertelt-Prigione, Sabine. 2020. The impact of sex and gender in the COVID-19 pandemic. Luxembourg: Publications Office of the European Union. Available at https://op.europa.eu/en/publication-detail/- /publication/4f419ffb-a0ca-11ea-9d2d-01aa75ed71a1/language-en. launched similar initiatives and introduced policies to address the situation. Within this broader policy context there are opportunities for research on the COVID-19 pandemic, which specifically takes into account the gender dimension. Already, funding has been awarded for research in this area at European and national level. Much of this research focuses on scientific and medical research, yet there are other research areas that merit funding, particularly from a gender perspective.

This case study, developed by the European Commission’s H2020 Expert Group to update and expand "Gendered Innovations/ Innovation through Gender", examines the impact of sex and gender in the current COVID-19 pandemic, looking more particularly at such key issues as sex differences in immune responses, dosing and sex-specific side effects of vaccines and therapeutics, gender-specific risk factors

(e.g. for healthcare workers and caregivers), gender-sensitive prevention campaigns, as well as the gender-specific socioeconomic burden of public safety measures. Although infectious diseases can affect everyone, sex and gender can significantly impact immune responses and the course of the disease in the human body. Importantly, the biological impacts of the pandemic intersect with broader social and systemic challenges, such as limited healthcare, and economic and logistic resources. In the case of COVID-19, current worldwide statistics show more men than women dying of acute infection, while women are projected to suffer more than men from the health, economic and social consequences of the pandemic in the long term. Innovative solutions beyond health, such as economic re-entry strategies, product development and AI solutions also need to consider sex and gender.

The Australian Academy of Technology and Engineering, and Science & Technology Australia led this rapid research brief responding to a request from the Minister for Industry, Science and Technology the question:

What impact is the COVID-19 pandemic having on women in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) workforce?

This rapid response has been prepared by the Rapid Research Information Forum (RRIF). The report synthesises the evidence base on this matter. It has been informed by relevant experts and has been peer reviewed.