Florencia Yannelli
BIO
Postdoctoral researcher in plant ecology and guest scientist at Freie Universität Berlin (Germany). Mother of two.
Florencia Yannelli
“I wish we did not have to deal with an unfair and toxic system that often forces us to leave.”
Being a mother has transformed my life in profound ways, bringing both immense joy and unexpected difficulties. On top of that, balancing the demands of motherhood with the unpredictable nature of an academic career has posed unique challenges. Unfortunately, as I embarked on this journey, I could not foresee them as I lacked the guidance of an advisor or mentor who was also an academic mom. Many people may not realize, but balancing a career and motherhood starts even before kids are born.
After postponing motherhood for personal and career reasons, I faced the challenge of going through multiple miscarriages while balancing my academic career, which took a toll on my emotional well-being and hindered my productivity and social interactions. Sharing my story now in this piece is important to me because I want to reassure other academic moms facing similar struggles that they are not alone. It is a tough road, but we're in this together.
Although my advisors provided some support, it was primarily my partner who helped me navigate these challenging experiences in silence. As I welcomed my first baby into the world, I found myself in the middle of a global pandemic. Like countless other academic moms, COVID-19 presented unprecedented challenges. Balancing remote research, networking, and caring for my child during daycare closures stretched my limits. The constant fear of contracting the virus, especially while pregnant with my second child, added a layer of stress to an already demanding situation.
Creating a support system in a foreign country has been essential in helping me navigate the challenges of motherhood in academia and amidst a global pandemic. Sharing household responsibilities and work time equally with my husband enabled me to persevere.
The pandemic compelled me to seek support through social media, revealing a strong sense of community and fostering collaborations that have provided reassurance and assistance with methodological challenges while working remotely. We established an online co-working group with a few of these newfound friends, providing motivation and productivity boosts while our little ones are in daycare. Online conferences have also been essential for staying updated within my field and providing a platform to share my research.
At the institutional level, the unwavering support and understanding from my advisor, the invaluable presence of advocates like the women's representative in my department, and the provision of parent-kids working rooms at the university have proven immensely beneficial. These sources of support have been incredibly helpful in my journey.
It is essential to acknowledge, however, that there is still considerable work to be done in addressing systemic barriers, ensuring equal opportunities, and combatting discrimination within the institution.
The lack of long-term job security is a constant source of anxiety for me since careful planning for the future includes considering frequent relocations and potential sacrifices in career advancement. Despite my passion for research, it's hard not to feel overwhelmed and discouraged by these circumstances.
I know I'm not alone in experiencing these challenges, and it's disheartening that the system fails to adequately support passionate academic moms like me. I wish we did not have to deal with an unfair and toxic system that often forces us to leave. We all deserve an environment that truly values our hard work, effort, ideas, and brilliance.
Being an academic mom is undoubtedly challenging, but having my little ones has made me a better scientist and led me to commit to a healthier way of approaching work.