A short (12 min), research-based film, based on research led by Professor Marie-Pierre Moreau, that surfaces the challenges faced by academics with caring responsibilities whilst trying to sustain their careers. It draws on lived experience to highlight enabling practices and common pitfalls. Topics include:
- The reality of caring responsibilities in academic careers
- Challenging the “care-free academic” ideal and norms around availability
- What actually helps carers to sustain and progress in academia
- Why formal policies often fall short in practice
- Leadership and management behaviours that make a difference
- Emotional and identity impacts of caring alongside academic work
- Implications for institutional culture, retention, and research careers
This is not a “how-to” video, but it highlights what helps and what hinders academics with caring responsibilities, offering insight that can inform decisions, conversations, and leadership practice.
What will you take forward?
One thing to consider: What challenges were surfaced in this video that helped you to feel more seen or less isolated? Is there anyone you know that would benefit from learning about it?
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