Rebuild the Academy: Supporting academic mothers during COVID-19 and beyond

PLoS Biol. 2021 Mar 9;19(3):e3001100. doi: 10.1371/journal.pbio.3001100. eCollection 2021 Mar.

Abstract

The issues facing academic mothers have been discussed for decades. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) is further exposing these inequalities as womxn scientists who are parenting while also engaging in a combination of academic related duties are falling behind. These inequities can be solved by investing strategically in solutions. Here we describe strategies that would ensure a more equitable academy for working mothers now and in the future. While the data are clear that mothers are being disproportionately impacted by COVID-19, many groups could benefit from these strategies. Rather than rebuilding what we once knew, let us be the architects of a new world.

MeSH terms

  • COVID-19 / economics
  • COVID-19 / epidemiology*
  • COVID-19 / psychology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Mothers / psychology
  • Mothers / statistics & numerical data*
  • Parenting / psychology
  • Parenting / trends
  • Research Personnel / statistics & numerical data*
  • SARS-CoV-2 / isolation & purification
  • Sexism / psychology
  • Sexism / statistics & numerical data*
  • Sexism / trends
  • Teaching / statistics & numerical data*

Grants and funding

No funding supported this work.