Perspectives of scholars on the origin, spread and consequences of COVID-19 are diverse but not polarized

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by SARS-CoV-2, has devastated societies and prompted unprecedented policy responses. Short-term measures have raised debates about long-term strategies for future pandemic preparedness. Public opinion is diverse and not well documented. This study synthesizes opinions of 3,731 research scholars worldwide via a survey. The strongest consensus was on the need to improve public health infrastructure and provide economic support, with lower agreement on ecological aspects. Exploratory factor analysis revealed three dimensions of thinking: (1) public health (broad support), (2) science-led policy emphasizing social justice and environmental governance, and (3) nature conservation to reduce pandemic risk. Although views varied by age, country, and education, there was strong agreement on global health equity and science-led public policy.