Rapid Research Information Forum 2020

The Rapid Research Information Forum (RRIF) was a forum for rapid information sharing and collaboration within the Australian research and innovation sector. It was convened by Australia’s former Chief Scientist, Dr Alan Finkel AO FTSE FAA FAHMS, in 2020 and its operations were led by the Australian Academy of Science. 

RRIF provided a mechanism to rapidly bring together relevant multidisciplinary research expertise to address pressing questions about Australia’s response to COVID-19, as they emerged. 

RRIF enabled timely responses to be provided to governments based on the best available evidence. RRIF also informed the Chief Scientist’s interactions and collaboration with other national chief scientific advisers. It demonstrated the critical value of research and innovation in driving societal as well as economic progress now and into the future.

This mechanism has now been replaced by the Rapid Research Information Reports process.

Rapid Responses

  • Changes in public sentiment in relation to data privacy during COVID-19

    This rapid research brief analyses whether COVID-19 had an impact on public sentiment in relation to privacy and the widespread use of data and technology by government in responding to the public health crisis, be it through tracing, compliance or enforcement.

  • Morbidity, mortality, and sex-specific impacts of COVID-19

    This rapid research brief analyses the factors that influence the risk of infection, the risk of severe disease requiring hospitalisation or intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and the risk of death.

  • Viability of SARS-CoV-2 on surfaces

    This rapid research brief synthesises the evidence on how long the SARS-CoV-2 virus remains viable on different surfaces, particularly clothes, cardboard, plastic, stainless steel, and copper.

  • Motivators for use of the COVIDSafe App

    This rapid research brief synthesises the evidence on what motivates people to download and continue to use the COVIDSafe app.

  • Most promising COVID-19 therapeutics

    UPDATED REPORT - This rapid research brief synthesises the evidence on the most promising COVID-19 therapeutics in development globally and nationally, their mechanisms of action, their stage of development and their strengths and limitations.

  • The impact of COVID-19 on women in the STEM workforce

    This rapid research information brief synthesises the evidence on the impact the COVID-19 pandemic is having on women in the science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) workforce.

  • The most promising vaccines for COVID-19

    UPDATED REPORT - This rapid research brief synthesises the evidence on the most promising vaccines in development globally and nationally, their mechanisms of action, their stage of development and their strengths and limitations.

  • Impact of the pandemic on Australia's research workforce

    This rapid research brief synthesises the evidence on the impact the pandemic is having and likely to have on Australia’s research workforce and its capability to support our recovery efforts.

  • Learning outcomes for online vs in-class education

    This rapid research information brief synthesises the evidence on the differential learning outcomes for online versus in-class education; factors that moderate the relative effectiveness; and distinct implications for students in metropolitan, remote, rural and Indigenous communities.

  • The predictive value of serological testing during the COVID-19 pandemic

    UPDATED REPORT - This rapid research brief synthesises the evidence on the predictive value of serological antibody tests and the comparability of point-of-care (POC) tests to laboratory tests.

  • Monitoring wastewater to detect COVID-19

    This rapid research brief synthesises the evidence on the feasibility of monitoring wastewater for early detection and monitoring of COVID-19 in the population.

  • Likelihood of COVID-19 reinfection

    This rapid research brief synthesises the evidence for whether reinfection with SARS-CoV-2 is possible and whether there is any emerging risk that not all patients develop immunity once they clear the virus.

  • Seasonality of COVID-19: Impact on the spread and severity

    This rapid report synthesises the evidence base on the impact of winter on the spread of COVID-19.