FIELD NOTE Diversity in the responses from Universities to COVID-19

Abstract: The USRN is a global alliance of universities promoting civic engagement and the spread of the concept of University social Responsibility (USR). In 2019 the network started a joint MOOC: Introduction to USR, showcasing social engagement of member universities. The COVID-19 pandemic affected the production of the MOOC but it also led to the addition of a Special Session on Universities’ Response portraying members' initiatives in addressing the new challenges. By using social network analysis, these field notes look at universities in their context and their domestic and external interactions in terms of social commitment. Based on the contributions from 12 universities, the article depicts academic and non-academic engagements in the form of 1. Research, 2. Education, 3. Advisory role in policy making and advocacy, 4. Civic engagement, 5. Information management, 6. Provision of support, 7. Structural internal reforms, and 8) Extended services. Key words: COVID-19, University Social Responsibility, Universities’ response, civic engagement,strategies for disaster mitigation, social network analysis