Reconciling a scientific career and family life: Support for parents in our research network
One of the main focuses of our equal opportunity strategy is making it easier for scientists to balance work life and family life. Whenever possible, for example, we schedule meetings and events outside school vacations and at family-friendly times of day. We try to design support measures so that they are as flexible and practical as possible and are always open to feedback and ideas from our members about how we can work together to make our scientific workplace more family-friendly.
We also run selected activities with the aim to place specific emphasis on the equal status of men and women, both in their taking on of family tasks and in shaping their careers. Equal family roles are not yet a matter of course in society, which can make it difficult for both sexes to combine family life with an academic career. We would like to provide support in overcoming the associated hurdles and contribute to this cultural change.