Confronting the lack of support for academics returning to research from maternity leave in UK higher education

This paper evidences the paucity of support for academics returning to their research following maternity leave. Building upon the literature illustrating ongoing gender disparities in UK academia, we provide empirical evidence of current support across the UK sector. Freedom of Information requests to 130 UK universities show that most institutions have failed to consider the specific requirements of returning to research from maternity leave. This damning picture is mapped onto a ‘Matrix of Support’ of institutional provision for protected time, money, a combination of both or no support. Limited correlation is identified between ‘research intensity’ and provision of support, with some universities with exceptionally large bodies of research-active staff offering little support. While some interventions have cost implications, many do not, and provision instead depends upon institutional awareness and willingness. We challenge UK universities to draw upon our collated best practice framework, to better support their research active staff.