Understanding the Effects of COVID-19 on Seafarers

The ninth WMU Alumni webinar will take place on Wednesday, 25 November 2020 at 14:00 -15:00 CET. To register, click here.

TOPIC
Understanding the Effects of COVID-19 on Seafarers

DESCRIPTION

The work of seafarers during the COVID-19 pandemic has been critical to ensure the global supply chain of essential goods and equipment. However, the recognition of seafarers as key workers is often being neglected, adding challenges to their regular occupational safety and health issues. This prompted researchers around the world to assess the impact of the pandemic on the well-being of seafarers.

This webinar offers participants a unique opportunity to engage with a variety of international researchers who are examining the effect of COVID-19 on seafarers.

Four panels of researchers will contribute to the discussion.

Panel 1 is a joint research team from four universities: the University of Queensland (Australia), Royal Holloway University of London (UK), the World Maritime University (Sweden), and Uppsala University (Sweden). Panel one will present initial findings from a survey on the impact of COVID-19 on the well-being of international seafarers. Over 700 seafarers responded. One of the key findings is the importance of connectivity to their families as well as institutional support.

Panel 2 from Solent University (UK) will provide a preliminary analysis of their longitudinal survey of UK seafarers. It is highlighted that the impact of COVID-19 was found to be unequally felt by seafarers depending on their employment terms and conditions.

Panel 3 from the University of Zadar (Croatia) will share the results of globally studying 752 seafarers who stayed either on board or at home in spring 2020. The study reveals that prolongation of periods on board and at home represent serious threats to seafarers´ social, mental, physical and economic well-being.

Panel 4 from Lloyd´s Register will present their industry-wide surveys during the COVID-19 pandemic, partnered with the UK Chamber of Shipping, Safety at Sea and Mission to Seafarers. The results highlight differences between the effects of the pandemic on seafarers and office workers, and indicates serious concerns over seafarer mental health, the effectiveness of organisations` support, and the disease management and treatment of seafarers.


MODERATOR:
Dr. Momoko Kitada, Associate Professor of Maritime Education and Training, World Maritime University, Sweden

PANELISTS

Panel 1
Dr. Birgit Pauksztat, Senior Lecturer in Business Studies, Uppsala University, Sweden
Dr. Michelle Grech, Manager Vessel Operations, Australian Maritime Safety Authority, and Adjunct Associate Professor, University of Queensland, Australia
Dr. Rikke Bjerg Jensen, Senior Lecturer in Information Security, Information Security Group, Royal Holloway University of London, UK
Dr. Momoko Kitada, Associate Professor of Maritime Education and Training, World Maritime University, Sweden

Panel 2
Dr. Helen Devereux, Lecturer in Maritime Management, Warsash Maritime School, Solent University, UK
Dr. Emma Wadsworth, Academic Lead in Research, Solent University, UK

Panel 3
Dr. Ana Sliskovic, Associate Professor, Department of Psychology, University of Zadar, Croatia

Panel 4
Ms Joanne Stokes, Senior Principal Human Factors Consultant, Lloyd´s Register - Marine and Offshore
Dr. Volkan Arslan, Senior Human Factors Consultant, Lloyd´s Register - Maritime and Offshore


This webinar is open to the public. To register, click here.

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