Doctoral Candidates’ Academic Writing Output and Strategies: Navigating the Challenges of Academic Writing During a Global Health Crisis

Aim/Purpose: To date, few studies have investigated the impact of global health crises on academic writing doctoral candidates. This paper seeks to start a conversation about ongoing COVID-19 pandemic candidates’ output and strategies. Background: employs analyses data elicited from surveys interviews involving candidates around world. Data were collected during April 2020, at time when government-mandated lockdowns restrictions movement in full force many countries Methodology: Surveys conducted with 118 over 40 institutions based four continents. Follow-up carried out enrolled an Australian institution. A qualitative descriptive design, employing thematic analysis, is used assess The analysis includes statistical descriptions surveys. Contribution: provides insights into myriad challenges obstacles facing pandemic. It describes strategies adopted by period significant societal disruption, illustrates how can be employed research crises. Findings: Despite adoption novel approaches writing, which appear insignificant minority respondents, overall commitment has been negatively impacted Similarly, delays activities caused resulted decline (motivation) substantial ability write their research. Recommendations for Practitioners: Supervisors mentors should strive provide timely feedback Given mental motivation write, increased institutional peer support required help overcome issues future researcher recommends consulting regularly offering individually tailored solutions who are struggling work theses empower supervisors ways that allow them greater levels Recommendation Researchers: Further impacts various cohorts, such as early career researchers (doctoral candidates, postdoctoral researchers, assistant professors) student cohorts (e.g., undergraduate postgraduate), will clarify extent impacting Impact Society: pressure placed produce quality seems heightened range adverse effects higher education sector, particularly administrators responsible managing candidate success academe, recruits its faculty holders doctorate degrees. Future Research: Additional focus needed. Research include randomised samples represent disciplines.