Loved the Women & the Future of Science event @royalsociety.org. Honest & at times stark: women’s (in)visibility in science, the unequal load of caregiving & need to outperform just to perform A clear theme emerged: don’t “fix” women, fix the system. -Flexiblity -Grants -Affordable childcare -Data

Yesterday we had the privilege of contributing to a RoundTable in Whitehall on "Women in Research" - the future, barriers & potential solutions to address many systemic issues. We're excited to see how these conversations continue @laurawolz.bsky.social @carterlj.bsky.social @pallettlab.bsky.social

'Our research has found that patchy implementation of family-friendly policies and unsympathetic managerial cultures push women to work as if nothing has changed. They are required to give birth to the “ideal academic baby”: a child who never disrupts grant deadlines, seminars or student emails.'

How UK universities are failing mothers on their staff

What actually happens when an academic gets pregnant, takes leave and then returns to work?

theconversation.com

The Conversation UK@uk.theconversation.com · 8mo ago

What actually happens when an academic gets pregnant, takes leave and then returns to work?

Less than 3 weeks until our final report launch event 9th Dec. (London) 10am We will be welcoming a fantastic panel: 🌟Jo O'Leary (UKRI) 🌟Sara Mole (UCL) 🌟John Tregoning (Imperial) 🌟Katie Perry (Daphne Trust) 🌟Jennie Evans (BSI) 🌟Ilaria Meazzini (RSC) Register here: www.carersinstemm.co.uk

Very insightful launch of @carersinstemm.bsky.social today at @manchester.ac.uk! Understanding the barriers associated with caring responsibilities is something I'm really passionate about and its amazing to see Carers in STEMM quantifying and advocating for carers in academia.

Carers In STEMM@carersinstemm.bsky.social · 9mo ago

To hear more about the Carers in STEMM survey - the hidden barrier to parents and carers - there is still time to join us Manchester: 13th November London: 9th December (Both hybrid) Spread the word!

To hear more about the Carers in STEMM survey - the hidden barrier to parents and carers - there is still time to join us Manchester: 13th November London: 9th December (Both hybrid) Spread the word!

Congrats to @carersinstemm.bsky.social for a successful and insightful launch event in Edinburgh's grand Playfair library. They're calling for systemic changes to funding, policy & culture to support carers in STEM. Read more 👉 carersinstemm.co.uk & join future events in London/Manchester/Online 👩‍🔬🧪

Carers In STEMM@carersinstemm.bsky.social · 10mo ago

Today marked the 1st of our “Roadshow” events to formally launch our survey report in the stunning venue of the Playfair library - Edinburgh A huge thank you to panellists @pallettlab.bsky.social @astroroyalscot.bsky.social Wei-Yu Lu (father, MRC fellow) Janette Wark (EPSRC) Adrian Lu (GCU) 👏👏👏

Today marked the 1st of our “Roadshow” events to formally launch our survey report in the stunning venue of the Playfair library - Edinburgh A huge thank you to panellists @pallettlab.bsky.social @astroroyalscot.bsky.social Wei-Yu Lu (father, MRC fellow) Janette Wark (EPSRC) Adrian Lu (GCU) 👏👏👏

Love this, I met @michellemonje.bsky.social after my first child years ago. I was feeling anxious about my science future, Michelle was very encouraging. What an incredible role model @carersinstemm.bsky.social Now I have 3 children and my first grant

The Brain Prize@brainprize.org · 10mo ago

“I was advised that having multiple children would detract from my scientific career. But I actually think that it has greatly benefited it.” Prof. @michellemonje.bsky.social, Neurology and Neurological Sciences at Stanford University, #BrainPrize2025. #Neuroscience youtu.be/f7sbSuWie5A?...

I had the opportunity to travel to Australia as part of a Fellowship - as this was for 6 weeks my whole family came. This was my daughter waiting to make sure her suitcase had made it to the plane ✈️ 🥰 #stemm #muminscience

I'm impressed how people combine scientific careers and parenthood and I love seeing babies at conferences. However, what I would love even more if everyone had access to appropriate parental leave. This is me accepting my first EiC job, couple hours old newborn in tow, starting 6mo mat leave.

Carers In STEMM@carersinstemm.bsky.social · 10mo ago

By way of a celebration of the juggle many carers & parents go through to make travel for research happen, why not share your “STEMM life with dependants” photos 😃 🧪 Let’s amplify, discuss, normalise the balancing act, & celebrate the superpowers often required ⚖️ We ❤️ seeing them! #STEMMCarers

My husband and I are both in STEMM so to help us with the guilt of travelling for conferences we made it into a cute tradition of being walked to the bus/train by our cute lil helper (who is 4 TODAY 🥹🥹)

Carers In STEMM@carersinstemm.bsky.social · 10mo ago

By way of a celebration of the juggle many carers & parents go through to make travel for research happen, why not share your “STEMM life with dependants” photos 😃 🧪 Let’s amplify, discuss, normalise the balancing act, & celebrate the superpowers often required ⚖️ We ❤️ seeing them! #STEMMCarers

This was me with my mom going for an @EMBO young investigator award interview 2 weeks after my son was born. Thank goodness for moms and a quick turn around at the passport office 😆

Carers In STEMM@carersinstemm.bsky.social · 10mo ago

By way of a celebration of the juggle many carers & parents go through to make travel for research happen, why not share your “STEMM life with dependants” photos 😃 🧪 Let’s amplify, discuss, normalise the balancing act, & celebrate the superpowers often required ⚖️ We ❤️ seeing them! #STEMMCarers

Travel with the babies… I can’t say I cherish the memories of sleep deprived nights followed by exhausting and long conference days. I could only make it work, as we could afford my mum tagging along, a huge privilege as she had to come all the way from Germany! 🧪🔭

Carers In STEMM@carersinstemm.bsky.social · 10mo ago

By way of a celebration of the juggle many carers & parents go through to make travel for research happen, why not share your “STEMM life with dependants” photos 😃 🧪 Let’s amplify, discuss, normalise the balancing act, & celebrate the superpowers often required ⚖️ We ❤️ seeing them! #STEMMCarers

By way of a celebration of the juggle many carers & parents go through to make travel for research happen, why not share your “STEMM life with dependants” photos 😃 🧪 Let’s amplify, discuss, normalise the balancing act, & celebrate the superpowers often required ⚖️ We ❤️ seeing them! #STEMMCarers

Oh hello there!!! The printed copies of our report have arrived - and I am the chosen Laura to lug them across the country! So, come and join us in Edinburgh on the 22nd of October for our first @carersinstemm.bsky.social report launch and get your own copy! forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

We LOVE seeing this!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏 Scientist, Wonder Woman, Carer ❤️

Dr Anna Hadjihambi@ahadjihambi.bsky.social · 10mo ago

The mini future leader and half of the Liver-Brain Axis Team made it to Canada and we are ready for #ISHEN. It is going to be epic! @ukri.org @winrepo.bsky.social @carersinstemm.bsky.social

You can also join one of the three report launch events where the team will be sharing their actionable recommendations to improve support for all academic carers. Please come and say hello to me if you’re at the Edinburgh event! 9/end🧵 Register👉: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

Carers In STEMM@carersinstemm.bsky.social · 11mo ago

🚨We're going on tour!🚨 Join us for 1 of our "Report Launch" networking events: Edinburgh, Manchester, London, or the comfort of your own home! We will present the 'Carers in STEMM' survey findings, host panel discussions w/ policy markers, EDI advocates & fellow parents/carers. Spread the word!📣

So today I celebrate the work of @carersinstemm.bsky.social who are calling for systemic changes to funding, policy & culture to support carers in STEM. Funders & employers must listen if they recognise and value the importance of a diverse workforce.👩‍🔬🧪 Read their report 👉 carersinstemm.co.uk 8/9🧵

Conventional wisdom says motherhood should wait for tenure as before you land a permanent post, #academia is just not that family friendly🙁 @carersinstemm.bsky.social are calling for change and to celebrate their new report, a Saturday🧵on parenting & academia! 1/9 👩‍🔬🧪🔭⚛️ ℹ️: carersinstemm.co.uk

Edinburgh and surrounding areas, please join us in 3 weeks for our first report launch event! After presenting our survey findings, we have a great line-up of panelist, including the fantastic @astroroyalscot.bsky.social! Register via forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...

We are pleased to announce the publication of our STEMM sector-wide survey The report highlights our findings & suggests recommendations. Now available to download here carersinstemm.co.uk Please share especially w/ institutions, funders & allies @laurawolz.bsky.social @carterlj.bsky.social

Do we have any contacts at a Northern Ireland university? 🙏🧪

🚨We're going on tour!🚨 Join us for 1 of our "Report Launch" networking events: Edinburgh, Manchester, London, or the comfort of your own home! We will present the 'Carers in STEMM' survey findings, host panel discussions w/ policy markers, EDI advocates & fellow parents/carers. Spread the word!📣

👶✈️ Balancing caregiving and academic travel? Join Dr. Laura Pallett for "The Dual Demands of Academic Travel and Caregiving" 🗓️ Sept 25 | 🕒15:00 CEST 🔗https://tinyurl.com/yefis2025-ia2 Hosted by the Improving Academia group of yEFIS

1/3rd of the 3Lauras presented last week at the "New UCL Academics Group" - this new network is seeking to improve culture for the next generation of the scientists we are training, so was great to share of our work around caring responsibilities & travel opportunities. Thanks for the invite!

Fantastic to have 1 of the 3Lauras shortlisted for such a fantastic @britsocimm.bsky.social Award. Congratulations to the winners 👏

🚹 Report: #PaternityLeave policies vary in Europe but the UK's offer is "one of the worst in the developed world". 🇬🇧 2 weeks at £187.18 a week 🇪🇸 6 weeks with full pay 🇩🇰 24 weeks at full pay 🇸🇪 10 months: First 390 days up to SEK47,750 (£3,590) a month. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

How UK paternity leave compares to the rest of Europe

Most dads in the UK get two weeks off work after their baby is born, but dads in many European countries get more.

bbc.co.uk

For those interested on the caregiving & science initiative, follow @carersinstemm.bsky.social and read their article about conference travel (very pertinent!!) www.nature.com/articles/d41...

Researcher parents are paying a high price for conference travel — here’s how to fix it

Three scientist mothers call for a change in how conference childcare costs are reimbursed, drawing on their personal experiences.

nature.com

The news is out now 😉 We are proud to say we, the 3Lauras, have been awarded the @ukri.org “Advancing Culture” 2025 Impact Award for our work trying to improve caring provisions at conferences, grant funding & policy here at Carers in STEMM 👏 The recognition is fantastic - 🙏 !