Page 65 - UMH Sapiens 38

Science for Sapiens A year in research (2024)

he challenges related to motherhood
often lead women to leave the acade-
mia after their first child. In fact, studies
in the United States suggest that about
50% of female scientists in this country
leave science after motherhood. To ad-
dress this problem, a group of female
T scientists and mothers, among which is
researcher of Ecology of the University Miguel Hernández
de Elche (UMH) Eva Graciá, propose ten urgent measures
that academic institutions should take to create a friendlier
environment and thus prevent women from leaving their
academic careers after childbirth.

These guidelines cover several aspects, from support
during pregnancy to work-life balance or career develo-
pment opportunities. They include measures such as su-
pport during pregnancy, childcare and breastfeeding and
the school phase, actions aimed at organising, making
flexible and distributing research and teaching activities
equitably, and measures for the professional development
of mothers, thus fighting mental health problems, discrimi-
nation and harassment.

This paper, published in the journal PLOS Computational
Biology with the title ‘Ten simple rules for a mom-friendly
Academia’, highlights the need for greater representation
of women in science, including mothers, because equality
is a fundamental right and, in addition, there are papers
proving that diverse work environments are more produc-
tive and innovative.

The article, led by Esther Sebastián-González, researcher Among the measures proposed by this group of scientists
of the Department of Ecology of the University of Alican- is the technical support to pregnant women for field and
te (UA), has Eva Graciá, researcher of the Department of laboratory work, as well as policies to facilitate flexible
Applied Biology of the UMH, researcher at CREAF-Cen- working hours and remote work. Another point that the
tre for Ecological Research and Forest Applications of article highlights is that maternal and paternal leave shall
the Autonomous University of Barcelona (UAB) Alejandra be taken into account in selection processes and eligibi-
Morán-Ordóñez, researcher at the Agri-Food Institute of lity criteria for scholarships and research positions. They
Aragón of the University of Zaragoza (IA2-UNIZAR) Irene also call for the establishment of day-care centres and nur-
Pérez-Ibarra, researcher at the Department of Ecology and sing centres at work and in scientific meetings, flexibility in
Evolution of the Mediterranean Institute for Advanced Stu- working hours and location, and prioritising parents with
dies – a joint centre of the CSIC and the University of the children in selecting teaching hours during school hours.
Balearic Islands (UIB) – Ana Sanz-Aguilar, and researcher
at CRETUS-Interdisciplinary Centre for Research in Envi- To support the professional development of mothers, the
ronmental Technologies of the University of Santiago de authors include other issues such as being able to extend
Compostela (USC) Mar Sobral. at least 18 months per child the eligibility window for scho-
larships and grants for scientific mothers, waiving the geo-
According to the signers of the decalogue, the benefit of graphical mobility requirement in scholarships and grants
implementing many of these ideas will be for trans mo- for scientific mothers, and creating specific grants after
thers and fathers as well as for fathers, caregivers of de- long career breaks. They also propose to create, dissemi-
pendent people, women and even the academic commu- nate and enforce anti-harassment and anti-discrimination
nity in general. It is imperative that academic institutions policies in all research institutions, and reduce unpaid and
take proactive steps to promote gender equality and em- unrecognised work of women, such as being members of
power all people, including mothers, in the development recruitment or thesis committees, and equating this admi-
of their scientific careers. nistrative burden to that of men.

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