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

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

Robinson W Fulweiler  1   2 , Sarah W Davies  2 , Jennifer F Biddle  3 , Amy J Burgin  4 , Emily H G Cooperdock  5 , Torrance C Hanley  6 , Carly D Kenkel  7 , Amy M Marcarelli  8 , Catherine M Matassa  9 , Talea L Mayo  10 , Lory Z Santiago-Vàzquez  11 , Nikki Traylor-Knowles  12 , Maren Ziegler  13
Affiliations

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

Robinson W Fulweiler et al. PLoS Biol. .

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.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig 1. Overview of the proposed strategies to help support academic mothers through COVID-19 and beyond.
These same strategies may also help others (e.g., fathers and elder-care givers). Other unsupported groups may benefit from these strategies and may also need additional strategies. Numbers of asterisks indicate relative fiscal requirements (* = low, ** = moderate, *** = high). The “mentor” icon is by pam pyke, the “college” icon is by jhon, the “science” icon is by fausan mayeh, the “journal” icon is by Kiran Shastry, and the “money” icon is by ProSymbols; all icons are from thenounproject.com.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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