Where Postgraduate Research Meets Responsibility

Did you know that 21% of our PGRs are Parents and Carers?

Parents and Carers Fortnight 2026 starts today, and the University will be running a programme of events aimed at informing, empowering, and connecting parents and carers. If you are one of our PGR Parents and Carers, do have a look at the programme, and the work of the Parents and Carers Network year-round.

Given that PGR Parents and Carers are such an substantial part of our PGR community, what can we all do to ensure that our research communities are fully inclusive and welcoming to these colleagues, who bring their many valuable strengths and perspectives with them?

First and foremost, we can listen to our PGR Parents and Carers. Find out more about the lived experiences of some of our PGR parents by exploring this theme on the UoB PGR Development blog archive. Talk to the PGR Parents and Carers in your networks. Although there are many common experiences between different parents and carers, it’s important to recognise that there will be many challenges unique to individual circumstances, so a willingness to listen and understand is essential to providing an inclusive environment.

A key challenge for PGR Parents and Carers is balancing the time spent on research and with dependents. Getting this right, from the point of view of the PGR themselves, requires high levels of organisation and forward planning, as well as practising being fully present in the moment. However, wider University processes and structures can either support or hinder this. Give plenty of notice for commitments, and offer both synchronous and asynchronous options for some activities. Dismantle local cultures that value long or specific working hours, or constant availability. Caring is unpredictable. Last-minute changes to plans are simply a part of the responsibility of caring for dependents, so some flexibility will always be required from colleagues.

In practice, small, thoughtful adjustments can make all the difference. Be an active part of a culture where it feels acceptable to set boundaries and to communicate changing circumstances. Supporting PGR Parents and Carers is part of recognising that all researchers are whole people, with commitments, responsibilities and identities beyond their research. Listening, respect, and flexibility help everyone to do their best work. Taking a more holistic approach to our researchers ensures excellent research from everyone, including our PGR Parents and Carers.

All of our PGRs bring more to our research community than “just” their research. Our PGR Parents and Carers have resilience, organisational skills and empathy in abundance. Let’s build a research culture that helps and supports our researchers to balance excellent research with their parental and caring responsibilities.