Rose Waugh
BIO
Final-year PhD student in Astrophysics at University of St. Andrews. Mom of a one-year-old.
Instagram: @astrophysicist_rose
Rose Waugh
“No one should have to pick between their career and their family.”
I had my wee one when I was halfway through my PhD. I’m lucky to be in a supportive department and within that year there were four PhD students that became parents. I knew I wanted to have kids and the supportive atmosphere was important to me when selecting a school.
My funding body allowed me 9 months paid leave. My husband is also a PhD student and we opted for him to take most of the leave whilst I worked from home so that I could breastfeed.
We were very fortunate in our journey and are so thankful that we both had the opportunity to spend time with our newborn at that crucial stage.
In the UK at least, I think that in some ways it can be easier to have a child at this point in your career than later (e.g. you often have fewer responsibilities and a bit more free time) but the cost and childcare can be hard. I suppose there is never a “right time” to have kids but I’m glad my partner and I chose when we did.
Academia still leaves a lot to be desired when it comes to being a welcoming place for parents (especially mothers who are often the most disadvantaged by it in a “publish or perish” atmosphere) but progress is being made.
Every academic should be able (and encouraged) to have a life outside of their career, which should mean academics can have children if they want to. No one should have to pick between their career and their family.
Besides, becoming a mother has done wonders for my confidence - I have a little more perspective and I can guarantee that no academic can terrify or traumatise me as much as my toddler can!