This publication showcases how UK universities played a vital role in tackling the COVID-19 pandemic through research, innovation and collaboration. From developing vaccines and treatments to supporting frontline healthcare and informing public policy, university-led research has helped save lives and shape the national response.
Summary
The report highlights achievements across five key areas:
- Understanding the virus – including genome sequencing, testing innovations and immune response studies.
- Improving treatments and patient care – from the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine to clinical trials and medical technologies,
- Informing policy – through national testing programmes, school studies and event safety research.
- Supporting education and training – with virtual clinical placements, online courses and student volunteering.
- Exploring wider impacts – such as long COVID, mental health, bereavement and health inequalities.
Key findings
- UK researchers led the development of the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine and the RECOVERY trial, identifying life-saving treatments.
- Universities created new diagnostic tools and testing centres, improving national testing capacity.
- Medical schools adapted rapidly to remote learning, ensuring students could continue training and support the NHS.
- Research into long COVID, ethnic disparities and mental health has helped shape future healthcare planning.
- Students and staff contributed to frontline care, vaccine rollouts and community support across the UK and beyond.
Download this report
