Challenges of Maternity Leave in Academia

Fernanda Staniscuaski earned her PhD aged 27. Five years later she had a child. But in common with many scientist mothers, Staniscuaski, a biologist at Brazil’s Federal University of Rio Grande do Sul, saw funding and other career opportunities diminish as she combined motherhood with her professional life.

“Of course I did not have as much time as I was used to have. And everything impacted my productivity,” she tells Julie Gould.

The Brazilian biologist founded the Parent in Science advocacy movement after talking with other scientist parents.

In the fourth episode of this six-part podcast series about Latin American women in science, Staniscuaski lists the movement’s achievements so far, and the challenges that lie ahead.

In 2021 Parent in Science won the science outreach category in the Nature Inspiring Women in Science awards, in partnership with the Estée Lauder Companies.

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