How to Tackle the Childcare-Conference Conundrum
Loading...
Authors
Calisi, Rebecca
Working Group of Mothers in Science
van Anders, Sari
Date
2018-03-05
Type
journal article
Language
en
Keyword
Child care , Career Advancement , Careers , Career mobility , Children , Conferences
Alternative Title
Abstract
Conferences are vital forums for academic researchers. Notwithstanding technological advances that allow remote communication, resource sharing, and networking, face-to-face interactions remain a crucial component for one's career advancement and ongoing education. Early stage researchers, who benefit significantly from these events, face some notable barriers to attendance. One major challenge is what we call the childcare-conference conundrum: Parent-researchers face a conundrum as they struggle to attend key conferences and further their careers while finding care for the children. This serious problem creates a culture of inequity for parents, with mothers generally experiencing greater disadvantages than fathers because of biological, prejudicial, and often socially- driven childcare demands. This article argues that collective and structural ideas for addressing the childcare-conference conundrum—going beyond measures that some conferences have taken thus far—could lead to more impactful, efficient, and equitable solutions that help women with children thrive in science.
Description
This article is also available at the publisher's website at https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1803153115
Citation
Calisi, Rebecca M. “Opinion: How to Tackle the Childcare-Conference Conundrum.” Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences - PNAS 115, no. 12 (2018): 2845–2849.
Publisher
National Academy of Sciences