Work-life Balance in Astronomy Survey Summary Friday, September the 18th, 2009 University College London Sarah Bridle Carolin Crawford Anais Rassat Kathy Romer Katarina Markovič

Location

Age & gender 63% male 37% female 50% aged Total: 430 people answered

Positions 93% astronomers

age

What are you most worried about for your career progression?

Do any of the following life factors affect you and if so, when?

Some suggestions The more time you can spend on a project, the more you can travel and the more you can plan and present the work, the better off you are. No-one can reasonably expect their university not to encourage and reward those who can give the most in terms of time and effort. More funding should go into fellowships and positions for people who had career breaks, have been working part time or needed to relocate without a job for family reasons. Since these are good stepping stones to permanent positions, without them, we are losing too many good scientists. I think it is important for women to have the issue of childcare on university campuses addressed. I should think that for junior female professors it would be important to have time off for child care NOT count against one in terms of getting tenure.

Some suggestions A fundamental problem with academic careers is the over-long 'qualification phase' and the lack of job security. I would like to suggest making self-directed research mandatory immediately after a PhD, if not earlier, and provide much stronger career support after a selection phase that does not exceed 5 years (while allowing off-the-track entry options). Life outside universities/research establishments is a lot harder in most cases! If, for example, men had the option (or even responsibility) of significant paternity leave, and if it were common that they took it, then there would no longer be any stigma on either men or women who took such leave. The primary purpose of a career is to provide an income for your family. Please do not attribute to a career any intrinsic value which is beyond that. I realise that this is not what you want to hear. But the main thing that my career has taught me is its lack of importance.

Preliminary survey report - link from workshop webpage The conclusions of today’s discussions will be integrated in the final report that is still in preparation. Comments, ideas and constructive criticism are welcome! Example section:

Do you have any constructive suggestions for IoP/RAS/STFC/our departments/our universities? Breakout session 3 This afternoon at we have: