Research shows vulnerability of female scientists with temporary contracts
Female scientists on temporary contracts are more vulnerable to unequal treatment and discrimination, new research shows. Partly because of this, they leave science more often than men.
Image: XF\x26amp;M
Lack of job security, the fierce competition for research funding and the high workload are important reasons for both men and women with temporary appointments to turn their backs on science. That's in a research that the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science had done at the request of the House of Representatives.
The above complaints are often more severe in female science leavers. Having children, lack of clarity about assessments and pay, and a poor work-life balance are also factors that women mention more often than men.
Many women receive explicit questions about their desire to have children and negative reactions when they are pregnant
wish for children
Moreover, women with temporary contracts are more vulnerable to unequal treatment and discrimination than women with permanent contracts. The research shows that many receive explicit questions about their desire to have children and negative reactions when they are pregnant. These kinds of experiences can reinforce the other reasons for leaving.
The researchers based their findings on a survey with answers from 500 female and male scientists and interviews with forty women. Among them were academics who still work in science, but also who had already dropped out.
More parental leave
According to the researchers, better working conditions must be created to reduce the dropout rate among all scientists. Specifically for women, it makes a difference if the employer also gives men more parental leave. Training for managers and combating unconscious prejudices would also help.
Another negative study that links to uncertain contracts
“It has almost become a mantra: another negative study that links to precarious contracts,” responds AObdriver Donald Pechler. The results do not surprise him, also because the National Network of Women Professors (LNVH) reports annually on the position of female scientists.
Permanent contracts
In September, the AOb with other organizations action in The Hague against the enormous share of precarious contracts at universities. The AObmission in this area is clear-cut: “More permanent contracts for structural work. Subsequently, many women benefit from this, because they are - in some positions and fields - over-represented in both temporary and part-time contracts.”
According to Minister Robbert Dijkgraaf, the findings in the report have similarities with, among other things, the recent KNAW research into social insecurity in Dutch science. He will come back to it later this year when he presents his new security policy. Pechler: “The AOb is of course curious about the minister's security policy. Unfortunately, we have not heard him promise more permanent jobs in this context.”
