BEING A PARENT AT UW – a university-wide research study on the needs of parents at the university
We are pleased to announce that the Equality Team in cooperation with the Centre for Women’s and Gender Research and the Quality Evaluation Unit (PEJK), has been carried out a study of parents’ needs at the University of Warsaw.
Parenthood presents challenges in reconciling caring responsibilities with work and studies. Therefore, the aim of our activities is to identify the needs and difficulties of parents working and studying at the University of Warsaw. We also want to know the opinion of the respondents and their ideas and solutions that will make it easier to combine family responsibilities with work and studies at the University of Warsaw.
The research study cover students, PhD students, as well as people working in research, teaching and in administration and other non-academic positions at the University.
The study consists of group interviews and a university-wide survey, as well as an analysis of documents, practices and activities undertaken by units in the area of support for parents and people with care obligations.
The study will include an analysis of, among others:
- experiences of barriers and difficulties in combining professional and student life with family life,
- organizational culture and atmosphere around parenthood at the university,
- ideas and good practices in the area of improving combining family obligations with work/study,
- the regulations and practices in force at the University of Warsaw units regarding the reconciliation of professional and family life.
The overarching goal of the study is to support parents and increase the visibility of caring responsibilities. Therefore, the conclusion of the research will be the preparation of recommendations that will respond to the problems and needs signalled in the study, and will also indicate practical and necessary activities in the area of work-life balance that will be possible to implement at the University of Warsaw.