'Level the playing field' | Women researchers set for stronger family leave & flexible working under new Government charter

The Government has unveiled a new initiative designed to improve support for women working across the UK's research sector, with new commitments on paid family leave, flexible working, fairer career progression and tackling workplace harassment.

More than 50 organisations, including universities, research institutes and learned societies, have signed the voluntary Women in Research Charter, which ministers say is intended to address the persistent barriers that contribute to women leaving research careers as they progress.

Government figures show that while girls account for 48% of STEM GCSE students and women make up 53% of science undergraduates, women hold just 31% of professorships. Men are also almost three times more likely to pursue careers in research and development.

Family leave and flexible working commitments

A central feature of the charter is a commitment to strengthen family leave for doctoral researchers. Signatories must, as a minimum, match the support already offered by UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) to the PhD students it funds.