Publications

@article{Blake2022-sv,

title = {Workforce experiences of a rapidly established SARS-CoV-2 

 asymptomatic testing service in a higher education setting: A 

 qualitative study},

author = {Holly Blake and Sarah Somerset and Ikra Mahmood and Neelam Mahmood and Jessica Corner and Jonathan K Ball and Chris Denning},

year  = {2022},

date = {2022-09-01},

journal = {Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health},

volume = {19},

number = {19},

pages = {12464},

publisher = {MDPI AG},

abstract = {The aim of the study was to explore workforce experiences of the 

 rapid implementation of a SARS-CoV-2 asymptomatic testing 

 service (ATS) in a higher education setting during the COVID-19 

 pandemic. The setting was a multi-campus university in the UK, 

 which hosted a testing service for employees and students over 

 two years. Qualitative semi-structured videoconference 

 interviews were conducted. We contacted 58 participants and 25 

 were interviewed (43% response rate). Data were analysed 

 thematically. The analysis produced four overarching themes: (1) 

 feelings relating to their involvement in the service, (2) 

 perceptions of teamwork, (3) perceptions of ATS leadership, (4) 

 valuing the opportunity for career development. Agile and 

 inclusive leadership style created psychological safety and team 

 cohesion, which facilitated participants in the implementation 

 of a rapid mitigation service, at pace and scale. Specific 

 features of the ATS (shared vision, collaboration, networking, 

 skills acquisition) instilled self-confidence, value and 

 belonging, meaningfully impacting on professional development 

 and career opportunities. This is the first qualitative study to 

 explore the experiences of university employees engaged in the 

 rapid deployment of a service as part of a pandemic outbreak and 

 mitigation strategy within a higher education setting. Despite 

 pressures and challenges of the task, professional growth and 

 advancement were universal. This has implications for workforce 

 engagement and creating workplaces across the sector that are 

 well-prepared to respond to future pandemics and other 

 disruptive events.},

keywords = {careers, COVID-19, employability, higher education, SARS-CoV-2, universities, workforce},

pubstate = {published},

tppubtype = {article}

}