Close the Gap

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Support for scientists with family and care responsibilities

Inter-university project of the University of Hamburg, the University Medical Center Hamburg, the Hamburg University of Technology, the Hafen City University
and the Hamburg University of Music and Drama

In the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, the social inequalities that already existed in society before the pandemic intensified. These effects also affect the academic system. Here, too, there are structural inequalities in career paths that have been exacerbated by the pandemic - this includes inequalities in terms of social background, migration biography and, in particular, compatibility and gender issues. The inequalities are currently most evident in a reduction in publication activity and fewer research projects applied for by female scientists (e.g. Viglione 2020; Zimmer 2020). Ultimately, however, everyone who has to reconcile academic work with family or care responsibilities is affected. The "Close the Gap" project, funded by the Hamburg Science Authority, aims to offer support here.
Within this framework, the HfMT can award a total of 30,000 euros in 2021 and 2022 to women doctoral candidates and female academics (postdocs, mid-level staff) - especially those with family responsibilities - as well as academics who can prove that they are taking on family responsibilities in the form of so-called "Time Packages for Science"; the next call for applications will open in September 2021 (see HfMT homepage).
The joint project "Close the Gap" is also initiating a cross-university network that offers an exchange platform for experienced and young academics as well as networking events with lectures and further training opportunities.
The "Close the Gap" network will kick off with the event "Shutdowns, gaps and researching from home - how can equal opportunities be achieved in academic careers?" on April 23, 2021 from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Interested members of the HfMT are cordially invited to attend. Registration form and further information can be found on the homepage of the University of Hamburg: Link