Women in Research charter to boost family leave and fight bullying

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.

It asks that signatories meet, exceed, or offer equivalent maternity and partner leave to their researchers as those currently provided by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) for the doctoral students they support.

It also asks for “sufficient funding” for other “family-related” leave, from pregnancy sickness to adoption of a child, and more.

Citing figures suggesting men are three times more likely to work in research and development, the charter demands signatories annually publish data on how grant funding and staff numbers correspond to sex.

In addition, the agreement emphasises the importance of combating bullying, harassment, and misconduct, stressing the need for “trusted mechanisms” when it comes to reporting poor behaviour.

The charter outlines a joined-up approach to improving research culture and outcomes for women, with signatories told to “work together” and improve existing forums and networks when it comes to sharing their actions.

Announcing the agreement, Kendall said: “Better family leave, fair assessments, safer workplaces: these are not radical proposals, they’re hard-won rights that women in research should absolutely expect.

“Now is the time for research institutions to step up and level the playing field for women. That is why I am calling on Britain’s renowned research organisations to back our new charter and send a clear signal that no woman should ever be held back from a fair shot at fulfilling their potential.”

Katie Perry, chief executive of the Daphne Jackson Trust – which provides funding for those returning to research after a career break – said the charity “welcomed” the initiative.

“Our fellows are living proof that when women and researchers are supported, encouraged, and given the opportunity to thrive, they do just that,” Perry said. “But supportive research environments shouldn’t be the exception, they should be the norm for everyone.”

Other senior figures to comment on the initiative include Rosalind Campion, head of the Academy of Medical Sciences, and King’s College London’s Shitij Kapur.

“At King’s we know that diversity is a strength in science and innovation and we are proud to be one of the early signatories to this government charter and sign with our full support,” Kapur said.

georgia.luckhurst@timeshighereducation.com