A major overhaul in family leave policies is underway for women working in UK research thanks to a new charter backed by over 50 leading universities and institutions. The groundbreaking initiative promises significant support for those juggling their careers with motherhood, aiming to reduce the steep decline of women in senior roles within the sector.
Despite making up nearly half (48%) of STEM GCSE students and 53% of science undergraduates, women hold only 31% of professorships. Meanwhile, men are almost three times more likely to pursue careers in research and development.
The charter's key commitment is to strengthen family leave provisions for doctoral researchers, mirroring or exceeding UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) support for PhD students they fund. This includes comprehensive coverage for pregnancy-related sickness, adoption, neonatal care, and baby loss – at least 52 weeks of maternity leave with a full stipend for the first 26 weeks and two weeks' paid leave for partners.
Prominent institutions like the Academy of Medical Sciences, the British Academy, King’s College London, and the University of Edinburgh are among the initial signatories. The Science Secretary urges other research organisations to join, highlighting the charter's potential to retain and support the 40% of women in the UK's research workforce.
The charter also vows to make funding schemes genuinely flexible for part-time researchers, with adjusted timelines, applications, and assessments. Furthermore, it aims to tackle persistent issues like bullying, harassment, and sexual misconduct – a concern raised by nearly two-thirds of researchers who have witnessed such behaviour.