ESRS GEF Childcare Support Grant

Participating at conferences is a crucial part of every researcher’s academic work. Parent-researchers face additional challenges to fully participate in conference activities due to their childcare-responsibilities. This creates disadvantages for parents and can lead to future career barriers, especially for women (Calisi et al. (2018). The ESRS strongly believes that inclusion and diversity are key factors for innovative and cutting-edge science. Therefore, the ESRS is committed to create solutions and reduce hurdles for parents to remain active in sleep science. 

The Gender Equality Forum (GEF) is excited to announce that the ESRS will award for the first time the “ESRS GEF Childcare Support Grant”. This grant has the aim to provide financial support to parents covering childcare on-site or at home to enable physical attendance at Sleep Europe 2022 in Athens, Greece. The benefit of this grant is its flexibility so parents can choose to put the money toward a trusted caregiver at home or bring this person with them to Athens.  

Calisi et al. (2018) puts forward a CARE framework regarding the childcare-conference conundrum. This framework provides four concrete suggestions for how to support parents. “When conference organizers consider parental needs, everybody wins. Offering childcare, accommodating families, providing appropriate resources, and establishing a parent social network are all ways that organizations can show they CARE.” The ESRS GEF, took on board the CARE recommendations when developing this grant and critically evaluating what can be done to make our meeting more inclusive. 

Here is how the ESRS will show how we CARE at Sleep Europe 2022: 

Childcare 

Through this new grant, Sleep Europe 2022 attendees will be able to participate knowing their child is being cared for, whether at home or in Athens. This will enable primary caregivers attending the congress to fully immerse themselves in the programme, worry-free. Based on the demand and responses received, ESRS may consider to host onsite child care at future conferences.  

Accommodate Families 

While children are prohibited from attending the industry exhibition due to regulations, babies and children outside of the area where badges are required are acceptable. Additionally, baby wearing at a session or poster session would be fine provided the baby is not overly disruptive. 

Resources 

Facilities will be made available for a lactation space to pump or nurse. However, we kindly request that anyone who would need access let us know in advance of the conference so we can be sure we are able to accommodate individual needs. 

Establish a Parent/Caregiver Social Network 

The GEF is in the final stages of establishing the group’s presence on social media. Once this is complete, it will be shared with everyone. If there is demand for a parent-specific discussion group, there is the ability to develop this space for exchange.  

All ESRS members, parents or not, are encouraged to actively engage in GEF activities and consider joining the forum. Not just early career, female or primary caregivers can benefit from participation, but the GEF needs advocates and allies to support their efforts to create a culture of inclusivity and gender equality within the ESRS, provide training opportunities and developing strategies to stop the ‘leaky pipeline’ of women and minoritized gender identities leaving research. 

Grant Application 

If you are interested in childcare support while you attend Sleep Europe 2022, we encourage you to read the eligibility guidelines and application procedure carefully. The deadline to apply is 9 August 2022. We look forward to receiving your application and seeing you (and maybe your little ones) in Athens, Greece soon.