Researchers at Lero, the Science Foundation Ireland Research Centre for Software, and the Open University have launched a survey to understand how Irish people are interacting online via social media during the Covid-19 period of physical distancing.

The survey which hopes to attract participants from Ireland and Northern Ireland can be accessed here.

The study explores social behaviour and interactions online due to the novel Coronavirus, Covid-19.

Lero’s chief scientist, Professor Bashar Nuseibeh of the University of Limerick and the Open University, said they are carrying out the survey to understand how Irish people are navigating life online under physical distancing as a result of Covid-19.

“By taking part, participants will enable us to understand how people interact online with various communities, while also being asked to keep their physical distance. The survey outcomes may help improve how various agencies and others supporting the general public interact with them in the future,” said Professor Nuseibeh. 

“It may also influence the way software to support social interaction is designed and deployed in the future.”

The results of this survey will be made freely available to participants, published widely, and posted on Twitter and other forums.