A statistic of the state of Saxony-Anhalt shows that the share of women in the appointment processes of universities between 2015 and 2019 was generally below 20 percent. Reasons for this include the fact that female scientists are often required to manage diverse tasks and high workloads whilst at the same time taking care of family obligations. As a consequence, the question of how to reconcile career and family is moving into sharper focus for both female and male academics. In addition, in spite of statutory regulations (such as gender mainstreaming measures), women in the employment market are also faced, sometimes intensively, with the challenges of self-determination, justice, sexualised violence and discrimination. On a positive note, in recent years there has been an increasing number of events and discussions on managing psychological stress and promoting mental health offered, which have also been taken up by female academics.
IAMO also regards the subject of “Reconciliation of career, family and private life” as a major opportunity to develop the professional careers of its female and male employees in an individual and targeted manner. The institute has therefore decided to apply for corresponding certification in the scope of a comprehensive audit with the support of the company “berufundfamilie” (BUF). In advance of the audit, which is set to begin in April 2020, individual surveys have been carried out with management staff, research assistants and PhD students at IAMO. The survey showed that the scientists assess their work in research and at the institute positively, in spite of the high pressure to perform. The staff benefit from various training offers, such as research methods and knowledge transfer. In addition, arrangements regarding part-time work, alternating telework, individual parental leave agreements and family-friendly meeting appointments mean that researchers can largely organise their work time flexibly and make use of the co-operative offers of the family services office at Martin Luther University Halle-Wittenberg. The Equality and Diversity Coordinator, Dr. Miao-ling Hasenkamp, conducted the survey at IAMO and will accompany the entire auditing process.
IAMO aims to reconcile of career, family and private life
For over 100 years, 8 March has been celebrated as International Women’s Day. On this date women worldwide demonstrate for equal rights and against the discrimination of women. This day is also an occasion on which to reflect where women are in the world of science and what measures IAMO can utilise to promote the professional equality of men and women at the institute.
