Early career researchers: Will they perish before they publish?

The sustainability of Early Career Researchers (ECRs) is under threat. COVID‐19 has affected and impacted the higher education teaching and research worlds. According to Baker,1 ECRs have faced a “cliff edge” regarding funding in addition to the other vital aspects of research such as data collection. Inevitably, this has a disproportionate effect on ECRs compared with established academics as they are trying to get beyond the first fragile rung of the academic career ladder. The suggestions we present here focus on the present and ongoing requirements relating to those who have a balanced workload of teaching and research. The question is will ECRs burnout and perish before they can publish? Our suggestions are intended to prompt ECRs to find stability in the pandemic and post pandemic future to create a platform where they can thrive.