Perspectives on being a field‐based geomorphologist during pregnancy and early motherhood

Abstract

Many geomorphologists who are mothers find it challenging to balance field research alongside pregnancy and caring for young children. We offer perspectives on the challenges to conducting fieldwork as mothers and possible solutions, as a means of promoting conversations and highlighting issues that are less commonly considered in field‐based geomorphic research. Although every mother's experience and needs are different, we discuss strategies for conducting fieldwork, addressing childcare issues, and dealing with financial considerations. We call for our community to support geomorphologists who are pregnant or caring for young children in carrying out fieldwork to help enhance the diversity of voices and perspectives within our discipline.

Special issue: German Society for Geomorphology

“…However, despite this positive trend, women continue to be strongly under‐represented in geomorphology today (Rathburn & Ely, 2021) and consistently face more challenges in career advancement than men (e.g. Benya et al, 2018; Guarino & Borden, 2017), for example, during geomorphological fieldwork in times of pregnancy and early motherhood (Lininger et al, 2021). There are still more women earning PhDs than entering academia and advancing in an academic career (e.g.…”

Introduction to the Women in Geomorphology special issue

“…Country of lead author a References Goodman et al, in press;Guiney & Lininger, 2022;Hinshaw et al, 2022;Hovenga et al, 2021;Lane et al, 2022;Lininger et al, 2021;McKenzie et al, 2022;McKeon et al, 2022;Mossa & Chen, 2022;Opalka et al, 2022;Patton et al, 2022;Quock et al, 2022;Rathburn & Ely, 2021;Regalla et al, 2022;Reitman et al, 2022;Shandonay et al, 2022;Valentine et al, 2022;Wohl, 2022;Zhang et al,…”

“…SI contains several thoughtful pieces offering insights on diverse aspects of geomorphic research in a human context.Burr et al (2022) review the foundational contributions of women to planetary geomorphology Lininger et al (2021). discuss the challenges to conducting fieldwork during pregnancy and early motherhood and provide suggestions for the entire community to help in addressing these challenges Alderson et al (2023).…”

Navigating the academic ladder as an early career researcher in earth and environmental sciences

“…Marín‐Spiotta et al (2020) describe the gendered nature of the geosciences (mostly from a US perspective), notably highlighting a general lack of diversity and hostile environments faced by under‐represented groups. Field and laboratory work, which are often critical components of an academic career in earth and environmental sciences, present specific challenges from a gendered perspective welcoming and normalizing the able‐bodied (Greene et al, 2021; Jokinen & Caretta, 2016; Lininger et al, 2021).…”