Blog Tag Family
Falling behind: postdocs in their thirties tire of putting life on hold
This one hits home. As someone who did 4 postdocs in 3 different countries, I can see myself here. Particularly the waiting - always the waiting. Waiting to get that dream job. Waiting to buy a house. Waiting to start a family. At some point, my wife and I just had to take the plunge. Without permanent contracts. Without stable positions. Sweden certainly made that choice much easier with generous parental leave. However, the uncertainty and the effects upon our careers was real. I am happy to say that it has worked out for us in the long run, but it shouldn't be this way. It is insane that after spending the time to obtain a PhD, we then spend years and years in unstable positions. Academics needs to do better if it wants to retain people.
Work-Life Balance
As I sit in my office late in the evening on a weekday, I contemplate the importance of balancing the importance of my research and my desire to see my family.
Baby on Board
As a member of a dual career couple, childcare is an issue near and dear to my heart (and career). The web is filled with a multitude of articles soul searching as to why there is a dearth of women in academics. While the answers to that issue are certainly complex, childcare is clearly an important component of that equation. Simply put - if a conference does not offer childcare, it is not possible for both my wife and I to attend. We are therefore forced to make a difficult choice on who gets to attend the conference - including all of the important networking, meetings, and self-promotion that happens at a conference. Whose career should advance? And who should stay home with the kids? I therefore find it unfathomable when major scientific conferences do not offer childcare. It should be a requirement that EVERY major conference offers childcare - and there should be travel grants available to offset the fees of childcare. The American Thoraic Society (ATS) has been very good about making childcare available at their annual meetings. Unfortunately, the European Respiratory Society (ERS) - while claiming to support family values and dual career couples - did not make childcare available for the 2017 Milano meeting, and it will not be available for the Paris meeting in 2018. I therefore question their commitment to supporting dual career couples. It is ironic that "family friendly Europe" cannot provide childcare, but the USA can. If the scientific community wants to support women as well as dual career couples, then it is time to ensure that childcare is available at conferences.
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