SCIFAM · Scientific Mobility and Family Life in Europe

Scientific Mobility and Family Life in Europe

The aims of the SCIFAM project were to: provide the first in-depth assessment of the impacts of scientific mobility on the children of scientists in the European Research Area (ERA), to increase understanding of the mobility decisions that scientists with children make, and to present best practice examples for overcoming the barriers to mobility faced by this population. The project was the first to focus on the family impacts of scientific mobility using a children-inclusive research approach. The number of researchers in the ERA has been growing at a rate of 3-4% per year for the last 10 years. Increased mobility is strongly associated with the creation of knowledge networks, improved scientific performance, improved knowledge and technology transfer, improved productivity and enhanced socio-economic welfare. Often, having children is perceived as a barrier to scientific mobility, particularly for females. However, less clear are exactly what the barriers are, successful strategies for being mobile with children, and children’s perspectives on scientific mobility. An online survey of scientists was conducted across Ireland, Poland, Slovakia, the Netherlands and the UK. Face-to-face interviews were carried out with scientists and their children in Ireland and the UK. Results suggested that having children and considering their needs are barriers to international scientific mobility for both female and male scientists. However, this is not always the case, with several factors being taken into account when making mobility decisions: type of mobility, mobility package (salary, relocations costs, resources in host institution), length of mobility period, scale of mobility, age of child(ren), occupation and attitude and occupation of a partner (if present), financial circumstances and wider family circumstances. The results of the SCIFAM project show complex and multi-layered mobility decision-making occurs within scientists’ family contexts. The primary motivations for mobility of scientists with children were research opportunities, employment opportunities, fieldwork and networking. Female and male scientists with children participated in a similar amount of short-term mobility but females with children participated in less frequent medium-term mobility than males. Long-term periods of mobility (usually involving moving with children) were undertaken by females and males at similar rates. Family reasons were stated as the most significant barrier to scientific mobility, such as: children’s age, children’s stage of schooling, partners’ employment, proximity to (grand)parents (to provide care for children but also caring responsibilities for elderly parents), parenting style and family/relationship status. Parenting and domestic practices impact upon scientific mobility; female scientists reported carrying the main burden of domestic work and childcare responsibilities. Having children was reported as changing female scientists’ working practices, including their mobility practices. Children discussed the perceived advantages of moving countries as a result of their parents’ scientific mobility: the adventure of living in a new country, learning a new language and experiencing a new culture. Parents’ views cohered with children’s and they felt that mobility could foster a sense of adaptability for children. The negative impacts of scientific mobility for children were considered to be disruptions to schooling, disruptions to friendships, the cost and continuity of childcare, and the lack of proximity to relatives. Children’s age was found to be an important factor in scientific mobility decision-making – older children’s schooling and friendships inhibit the scientific mobility of parents. Mobility decisions of scientists need to be considered within the context of their family lives and also their broader employment situations. Both male and female scientists discussed having delayed forming relationships and having children because of the demands of research employment and the importance of mobility. Participants felt that strategies could be introduced by institutions, national bodies and the European Commission (EC) to overcome barriers to mobility for scientists with children, such as: better information provision; a ‘buddy’ system in the workplace; more funding for short-term research visits; increased recognition of the value of virtual mobility; greater recognition of the impact of family responsibilities in research assessments; and more family-friendly research meetings and conferences. The results and conclusions of the project are significant for research scientists and their children, research managers in research institutions, EC policymakers, and mobility researchers.

Data: CORDIS, © European Union