The searchable database consists of an annotated, curated collection of datasets and/or databases relevant to the antecedents, aftermath and progression of the COVID-19 pandemic for the social and environmental sciences and policy, particularly in the areas of health, environment and energy. Each entry (row in the database) represents a unique dataset or database that has been characterized according to a set of criteria. Live links to access data and metadata are provided, together with information about the database.

Purpose and use. The large variability in health, social and behavioral policies and practices enacted in response to COVID-19 offers an international “natural experiment.” Examining COVID-related policies or changes in policies before, during and after pandemic waves in relation to extant health, environmental, energy and economic policies and societal well-being can yield important insights to help guide future policy and behavior, particularly in long-term crises. Because the database includes data related to social, civic, economic and family life, as well as environmental and energy data, scholars from a broad range of disciplines may profitably use the tool. While many datasets focus on COVID-19 per se, others that predate the pandemic offer contextualization and comparative information. Details on project methodology and the types of datasets included can be accessed here (see Codebook).

By describing, categorizing and providing links to datasets, the COVID Influences and Impacts Database of Databases aims to reduce time and effort for researchers, facilitating new and more expeditious research. The schematic below illustrates the animating concept.