Institutions, funders and conference organisers are increasingly providing support for scientists who are also parents. In this series we look at some of these initiatives – and at the issues that still need to be addressed – as well as sharing the life stories of researchers who have children.
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Struggling to get her research project up and running in a new country, a mother gets inspiration from her young daughter.
The impacts of grief are long-lasting, but support from colleagues provides some relief.
Traveling to conferences with children presents a number of logistical and financial challenges.
eLife is publishing a collection of articles and interviews with scientists who are parents to explore how to get the best of both worlds.
Colleagues, funders and institutions can support pregnant researchers in a variety of ways.
Research institutions could do more to support scientists who are pregnant or have young children.
Being a parent helps to put things into perspective – and make strategic career decisions.
When deciding to join a lab, scientists thinking of having children should consider what kind of support will be available to them.
Raising children does not require having a done-and-dusted career path.
Balancing the need to network and showcase your scientific work with the demands of parenthood is a difficult act.
China's one-child policy has resulted in scientists with families having experiences that are very different to those elsewhere in the world.
Providing more flexible parental support would reduce the assumption that mothers should be the main caregivers and make it easier for fathers like Modesto Redrejo-Rodríguez to share childcare responsibilities.
How does a scientist balance establishing a career and starting a family?
Children on campus may be an unusual sight, but if institutions are supportive it can help parents at the start of their science career.
Shared parenting and flexible working times make everything a lot easier.
Being a parent can push you to reach for higher goals.
Having a child makes you focus on the things that truly matter.
With the right advisor, having children during a PhD can be a great joy, but lack of affordable childcare is a problem.
Science and parenthood can go together well.
Women scientists across India are working together to build and advocate for family-friendly policies at their institutes.
Flexible working hours and a supportive lab allow Rebecca Burdine to organize her research around caring for her children.
Adjusting to a new identity as a mother comes with challenges, but with help, a rewarding research career is possible.
Academia needs to move towards a more family-friendly environment.
If you want to be a scientist parent, come to Germany.
Things rarely go as planned.
Parenthood means last minute changes of schedule are no longer possible.
Having kids helps you to be more time efficient.
Transferable skills can be useful to juggle the demands of being a parent scientist.
Parenting as an early-career researcher and as a group leader hold different challenges.
When you have children, chasing the dream job of being a scientist can often mean relying on your partner to be flexible.
Equal parenting needs to start from day one, and requires advance planning.
Planning your time effectively can help to set aside quality time for your children.
For some research is not just a job, and pursuing a career you love can help you be a good role model for your child.
Getting your priorities straight will help you to achieve your goals.
Emma PewseyAssociate features editor and web content manager
Helga GrollAssociate Features Editor
Elsa LoisselAssociate Features Editor
Peter A RodgersFeatures Editor, eLife, United Kingdom
