Professoring While Parenting


Support for faculty parents of young children

During the peak years of the COVID-19 pandemic, faculty parents of young children reported a disproportionate loss of research time – the effects of which we have yet to fully grasp. Beyond questions of scholarly productivity, however, faculty parents – especially those who became parents during the pandemic – have reported continued struggles with the impacts of lockdown and isolation. The close support networks that parents of young children might depend on with friends and colleagues who share or have shared their experiences have been difficult to come by. 

The Center for Faculty Development and Excellence and the Emory Caregiver Support Program in the Work-Life Resource Center are teaming up to provide a “hybrid” menu of support programs for faculty parents of young children. The menu features the following.

First Tuesday Zoom Support Group

Beginning May 3, we will begin hosting a monthly noon support group for Emory faculty parents via Zoom the first Tuesday of every month. To join the monthly online support group contact Mary Ellen Eady

Third Tuesday In-Person Campus Walking Group

Beginning May 17, every third Tuesday, we will host a monthly on-campus, in-person walking group for parents. The group will meet at 1:00 pm on the Student Center plaza and walk for 30-45 minutes. To join the monthly walking group, contact Allison Adams.

Emory Work-Life Resources for Children and Family

If you are experiencing an immediate care issue/need, please contact Mary Ellen Eady directly for a one-on-one consultation. Review Emory Family benefits and resources at  Worklife.emory.edu.

National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity

The National Center for Faculty Development and Diversity offers a multi-session webinar course on "Parenting and Productivity." Check it out on their website. Also, in case you weren't aware, Emory faculty and graduate students automatically have a FREE NCFDD membership. If you haven't yet done so, you can activate it here by selecting "Emory University" in the dropdown menu and following the prompts. 

Facebook Support Groups

For Emory Faculty Parents of Young Children

We have created a Facebook group that aims to be a means of support for Emory faculty parents of young children -- roughly pre-school age or younger (the age limit is not a hard line).

https://www.facebook.com/groups/2191983834286100

Some academic parents have also found helpful and meaningful support in other Facebook groups. Below is a list of groups recommended by Emory faculty parents.

For Mothers In Academia

https://www.facebook.com/groups/phdmamas

General Support

By Neighborhood

Childbirth and Lactation

Local Sitters and Nanny Shares

Buy/Sell Groups

Contacts

If you have questions or suggestions for this new program of support, we’d love to hear from you.

Mary Ellen Eady, Work-Life Specialist, Human Resources

mary.ellen.eady@emory.edu

404-727-4177

Allison Adams, Director, Scholarly Writing and Research, Center for Faculty Development and Excellence

Aadam02@emory.edu

404-727-5269