‘Maybe I was never meant to be in science’: how imposter syndrome seizes scientist mothers
Mar 29, 2024
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Fernanda Staniscuaski, a biologist and founder of the Parent in Science movement, shares her journey navigating motherhood while pursuing a scientific career. She discusses the emotional toll of imposter syndrome and the impact of maternity leave on career advancement. The conversation highlights the systemic challenges faced by scientist mothers in Brazil and the advocacy efforts aimed at reforming policies. Staniscuaski emphasizes the need for structural changes to support women in academia and create a more inclusive environment for scientist parents.
Fernanda Staniscuaski's experience illustrates the systemic bias against scientist mothers, affecting their productivity and career opportunities after childbirth.
The Parent in Science movement successfully advocates for institutional changes, aiming to provide equitable support and recognition for parents in academia.
Deep dives
The Struggles of Balancing Family and Career in Academia
Women in Latin America often face significant challenges when trying to balance motherhood with their academic careers. The expectation that women should prioritize their families often leads to their professional identities being questioned, especially during pivotal moments like pursuing a PhD. Colleagues may hold an antiquated view that having children derails a woman's academic progress, which adds to the pressure and stress faced by these individuals. This creates a cycle where women might delay starting families due to fears of being penalized in their careers, impacting both their personal and professional lives.
The Birth of the Parent in Science Movement
Fernanda Stanisławski, a Brazilian scientist, initiated the Parent in Science movement to address the systemic issues faced by mothers in academia. After experiencing a decline in her productivity and funding opportunities following the birth of her son, she realized that many of her colleagues were facing similar challenges. Together with other female scientists, she collected data showing a stark contrast in publication rates between parents, revealing a structural bias against women with children in the academic realm. This initiative has spurred conversations with funding bodies and institutions about equitable practices and support for parents in science.
Advocating for Change in Academic Policy
The movement has successfully prompted institutions to recognize career breaks due to motherhood and make necessary adjustments in evaluations for funding and hiring. Changes have been made to platforms used for fellowship applications to include a provision for gaps in productivity due to parental responsibilities, which is a significant step forward. However, the initiative still faces challenges in achieving widespread systemic change across Brazil’s academic landscape. Fernanda envisions a future where support for working mothers in academia is standardized, allowing for a more inclusive approach that acknowledges the varied paths women take in their careers.
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.