Close the Gap—Research and Family Life during the pandemic
Close the Gap — background:
The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has deepened already existing social inequalities. Within the academic system, pre-existing inequalities in terms of social background, migration history, and questions of gender and work-family balance in particular, which have a decisive influence on the development of academic careers, were equally reinforced by the pandemic.
Studies show that female* researchers have submitted fewer research projects and publications than their male* colleagues. This is mainly due to the pandemic-related challenges of reconciling family and career. The so-called “Gender Publication Gap”, which refers to the reduced number of publications, is an indication of the increased inequality (inter alia, Viglione 2020; Zimmer 2020).
The Close the Gap project, funded by the Ministry of Science, Research, Equalities and Districts (BWFGB), aims to address these pandemic related challenges for female* researchers. In terms of work-life balance, male* researchers with family obligations can also participate in the project.
Close the Gap Fund
As part of the Close the Gap project, Universität Hamburg invites applications for the Close the Gap-Fund to address the pandemic-related publication gap as well as challenges for researchers with family obligations due to the pandemic.
A range of measures are offered as part of the project:
- support when preparing publications through student assistants (max. 100 hours/month)
- offers of flexible childcare
- individual coaching sessions (organized by the Equal Opportunity Unit)
Please note: Female* researchers are eligible to apply for funding. Male* researchers with family obligations can also submit applications.
In addition, a cross-university network will be initiated to serve as an exchange platform between experienced and early career researchers. A range of events is offered as part of the network.
