Workshop '(Wanting) kids and academia—a space for reflection for researchers and how to escape incompatibility'

This workshop, led by Dr Sarah Czerney and Dr Lena Eckert from the Motherhood & Science Network, consists of two parts: on the one hand, the discussion of the topic of (the desire to have) children and academia and, on the other, the development of ideas for greater compatibility of family and career at an institutional level.

The event is also explicitly aimed at people who identify as non-binary, trans or intersex. Cis men are also very welcome.

Registration and time period

Date and time

Tuesday, 27 May 2025
9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Location

DigiHub
Am Hauptbahnhof 6
53111 Bonn
Room: San Francisco

Registration

Please register by May 11. The number of participants is limited to 20. A list will be created for potential latecomers.

Part 1: (Wanting) kids and academia

At some point, many researchers will find themselves confronted with the topic of motherhood, whether this is due to society’s expectations or their own desire to have children. Especially in academia, there are hardly any spaces in which they can openly discuss and reflect on their own stance on wanting (or not wanting) to have children. This workshop aims to change all that: together, we will create a space for discussing one’s desire to have (or not have) children. As well as encouraging individual empowerment through (written) reflection, we will examine and analyze some of the structural conditions facing people in academia who (want to) have children. Engaging in dialogue with other female researchers will also foster a sense of political awareness and solidarity.

Part 2: Greater compatibility at an institutional level.

Despite decades of efforts to achieve equality and equal opportunity in academia, parents—especially mothers—and others with care responsibilities continue to face disadvantages in academic settings. By drawing on existing examples of good practice, we will present the current situation regarding compatibility in academia and will support you in developing suitable measures to promote female researchers with family responsibilities at your institution and in networking with others for whom the topic is relevant.