More than 60 organisations have backed the government’s Women in Research charter, aimed at bringing terms and conditions in the sector into line “with the vast majority” of workplaces.
It is hoped female researchers will no longer have to “abandon their hard work” or accept “playing catch-up” with male peers, thanks to strengthened commitments including a guaranteed minimum of 52 weeks of maternity leave.
So far, King’s College London, and the universities of York, Warwick, Oxford, St Andrews and the Open University are among the tens of institutions to put their name to the voluntary commitment.
Others to sign up include the British Academy, Royal Society, the Scottish Association for Marine Science, and the Alan Turing Institute.
Unveiled by science secretary Liz Kendall, the charter is organised around six themes: improved support for parents and carers; consistent data and transparency; enabling more flexible working; eliminating bias; tackling bullying and harassment; and sharing best practice across the research sector.
