@whittyrem Oh yes! I’m beginning to see through all of the programmes & initiatives that place the blame and the workload in addressing systemic discrimination at the feet of women and mothers. We desperately need affordable childcare for all, and flexible working for all. #InvisibleMums

@workingfamUK a thread of interest for you. #InvisibleMums

@ZJAyres @UniRdg_Psych Does it just. Reminds me of how women are treated in general in psych- blame the women, blame the mums. Underlying message is academia isn’t a place for mothers unless you’re privileged enough to hide your care work & emotional labour. #InvisibleMums #Inclusion

@MarkMcBW @UniRdg_Psych Thank you, Mark. Unfortunately, the individual has not since owned his behaviour or apologised & the lack of support from my supervisor and Head of School (“sorry you’re upset”…) has been sadly telling. There are clearly systemic issues that need to be addressed. #InvisibleMums

@DramaMen @TellyElk This is exactly it. When I first entered academia as a lecturer I was shocked by the discrepancy between how much time men were able to give vs women. Who was looking after the children? Emotional labour? Why is that not recognised & rewarded by society? #InvisibleMums

@R_LehnerMear @UniRdg_Psych Thank you- to be honest I was completely shell-shocked when I received it. Ironically I was at home looking after my son who’s poorly & it knocked me for six. I wish someone would do something about how mothers are treated by our patriarchal academic systems. #InvisibleMums

@sally_welsh @UniRdg_Psych @mpsmoreau Thank you, I’ll have a look. Will also check out the 09 publication- has there not been anything more recent? Would love to read your work- I’m slowly realising that the world functions on the unpaid emotional and care work of mothers. #InvisibleMums #PregnantThenScrewed

@EM_HealthPsych @UniRdg_Psych Yes, the tone is very concerning (power play with women & mothers?). I will be making a formal complaint- this individual is also Deputy Head of School so it’s concerning on multiple levels. Hoping @UniofReading take appropriate action. #InvisibleMums #Discrimination

@cassiekill @UKRI_News I would honestly love to see profs with views like this have to try & live on a #PhD stipend, let alone find & fund childcare with it. Would love @UKRI_News to address this constant discrimination against PGR parents. #PhDChat #InvisibleMums

@mpsmoreau @UniRdg_Psych Thank you- yes it was emailed to me directly by a professor and refers to my experience with childcare. Quite a kick in the teeth as a student parent of young children. Thank you so much for the resources- I’ll have a look & share with @UniRdg_Diverse. #InvisibleMums

@FiDaisyG @UniRdg_Psych @ucu I think that’s a huge part of the issue- parents are viewed as more work. But we bring so much value, insight & experience. And by not supporting PGR mums they’re basically saying they only want a young, middle class or male studentship. And so the issue continues…#InvisibleMums

Thank you so much for the overwhelmingly supportive replies- not only shows the extent of the discrimination against student parents but the need for this to be addressed. Thank you, too, to everyone who DM’d me to share exps. We will not be #InvisibleMums. #Discrimination #HE

This! Why does #HE not recognise the worth of students who are parents? Reasonable adjustments are the bare minimum we should expect. Why are we actively penalised time & time again? It says a lot about how society values caregivers & caregiving. #InvisibleMums #Discrimination

What an insight into internalised misogyny & societal views about mums. The Prof who thought I should’ve found childcare for a 1yo w a fortnight’s notice then invited me to a pizza session…on a day I don’t have childcare 🤦‍♀️ We’re so done being #InvisibleMums. #MotherhoodPenalty

As a funded PhD student (on a small stipend which barely covers childcare) you’re not eligible for the full 30 hours free childcare when your child turns 3 either. Something that @UKRI_News @ESRC desperately need to fight for for students. #InvisibleMums @timeshighered @AdvanceHE

A key part of the HE #gendergap is the #MotherhoodPenalty. If mothers are discriminated against at every stage, no wonder it’s men who go on to succeed in academia. Being a dad is a selling point for a man’s career. For a woman it’s a nail in her career coffin. #InvisibleMums

As an @ESRC @UKRI_News funded PhD student through @SeNSSDTP, I hope that action can be taken to ensure that discriminatory views against students who are parents are stamped out. PGR parents are bottom of the pile yet we add so much value. #PhD #DTP #ECR #InvisibleMums

THIS!!!! So many are completely out of touch with the realities of normal parent life. A nanny is c.30-40k, a PhD stipend is 18k. And heaven forbid if you actually want to see your children because you understand the value of forming loving early relationships. #InvisibleMums

I hope @ParveenYaqoob as Pro-VC @UniofReading & Chair of the @AdvanceHE #EDI Committee addresses this discrimination against students who are parents. If sr staff feel able to send such emails what does it say about EDI culture at Reading Uni? #InvisibleMums #PregnantthenScrewed