1 Time Management: Balancing Family and Neuroscience Mike Lehman, PhD Professor of Molecular and Integrative Physiology University of Michigan Co-Chair, SfN Professional Development Committee

2 My personal journey B.A. in Biology-Psychology 1975, Wesleyan University Ph.D. in Neuroscience 1982, University of Michigan Postdoc: , University of Michigan; , Columbia University Faculty member: , Dept. Cell Biology, Neurobiology And Anatomy, University of Cincinnati , Professor and Chair, Dept. Anat. & Cell Biol., Univ. Western Ontario 2006-?, Professor and Chair, Dept. Anatomy and Cell Biology, Univ. Western Ontario 2010-, Professor, Dept. Physiology, OB-Gyn, Co- Director, Reprod.Sci. Prog., Univ. Michigan

3 The University of Western Ontario London, Ontario (December 2005)

4 Family: when and how There are no perfect times, each stage of career has different challenges Early stage (student, postdoc, fellow): ◦ Pro: More flexible when you need more time ◦ Con: lower income, demands of training Early faculty: ◦ Pro: More energy; negotiate for fewer responsibilities in some areas of job (clinical, administrative) ◦ Con: tenure clock, can it really be stopped? Mid-career faculty: ◦ Pro: higher income, paid help ◦ Con: more demands in job; higher expectations once the bar has been set

5 Institutional support What roles do academic institutions play in the balancing act between family and a scientific career? ◦ Univ. Cincinnati:  No support; no maternity leave (negotiation with chair)  long waiting lists for university day care  no break at evaluations/promotion/tenure ◦ Univ. Western Ontario:  Possibility for one year maternity leave  Tenure clock stops  funding agencies

66

7 Federal support for work/life balance NSF: “NSF Career-Life Balance Initiative,” a 10-year plan to provide greater work-related flexibility to women and men in research careers. Includes: Allow postponement of grants for child birth/adoption Allow grant suspension for parental leave Supplements to cover research technicians Promote family friendliness for panel reviewers NIH: NIAID offers supplement for tech replacement for postdoc on leave; NIH-wide policies allow grant funds to be used for parental leave and child care (grants.nih.gov/grants/family_friendly.htm) 7

8 Lique ’ s practical tips Time management: ◦ Manage your tasks/time at work ◦ Post your ideal schedule where you can see it ◦ Audit your actual time budget to see what changes you want to make Know your personality and set realistic goals: ◦ Be true to yourself, your values and passions ◦ Give yourself permission to not be perfect; don't beat up on yourself ◦ Find ways to deal with stress: exercise, make time for yourself, reward yourself ◦ Don't compare yourself to others ◦ Be realistic about your expectations re: balancing work and family life

How did we handle child care? Cincinnati, OH ◦ daycare London, Ontario ◦ Part-time nanny Ann Arbor, MI ◦ Au pair Meetings/conferences ◦ Plan and alternate! 9

10 Bottom-line It ’ s totally worth it!