Family friendliness
The job of being a scientist has many wonderful facets
A permanent position, fixed working hours and a 40 hour week
unfortunately are usually not part of it
What to do when work and family obligations collide? Together with mothers and fathers in the collaborations the SFB 1280 is working to improve the situation locally and to identify structural programs to create more freedom for personal development. At the same time, you may have to look at caring for relatives which must be manageable alongside work. In the collaborations of SFB 1280 they have established some tools to be able to combine science and family better. At the same time the board for equal opportunity is constantly looking for new or individual solutions. It is aided by the management, which is involved in equality and monitors the distribution of resources according to equal opportunities:
- Childcare or that of a relative which is in need of care can be financed for times after regular care ends. This makes it possible to take part in SFB relevant events, such as meeting or conferences, or being able to access equipment and perform experiments in the evenings. Of course, the administration tries to schedule everything family friendly.
- During parental leave of a project leading person a qualified replacement personnel can at least partially be financed. In the SFB 1280 it is no problem to individually schedule working hours.
- The SFB 1280 supports the family friendly organisation of working hours by supporting home offices or offices suitable for children.
- While traveling to important conferences, the Sonderforschungsbereich can potentially cover the costs for a toddler to accompany you.
- During parental leave all members still have the opportunity to take part in mentoring or training programs. Together with the administration of the SFB the parent can brainstorm for solutions on how keep in contact and come back.
- Financing of a student assistant to help parents and caregivers with project related routines in the lab.
Mobile kids room
It can come as a surprise: the kindergarden is sick, grandma is on strike, there’s a lot of reasons why the little one sometimes have to come to the office. So that this does not turn into a stressful adventure for child and parents, the SFB 1280 has worked together with the craftsmen of the workshop in the faculty for psychology in Bochum and the representative of “Familiengerechte Hochschule” of the RUB to get this idea rolling: the mobile kids room, a small cupboard on wheels, which contains not folders, but everything a child needs for a day at the office.
Toy wouldn’t hurt, some crayons to keep the child busy and also a bottle warmer and a travel bed. All of this doesn’t just lie around in the office, but can be found in the mobile kids room: young children will always find something in there that make their eyes sparkle and time fly. Puzzles, building blocks, books, paper, pens, games and so on. This little helper is also a great addition for events.
Borrowing it is very simple. You can find it in the room GAFO 03/957 and it doesn’t matter whether you need the entire thing or just a few parts, the SFB secretaries’ office next door will always lend a helping hand with the transport. At Uniklinik in Essen, the mobile kids room can be found in LLZ room 47.0.020. At IfADo, the rolling helper is located at the reception.
New Year, New Me: The Facts
As the calendar turns to a new year, millions of people around the world commit to New Year’s resolutions, making promises to use the new year as a fresh beginning and an opportunity for transformation. In 2024, almost three-quarters of the British population set themselves New Year’s resolutions — that’s around 40 million people (or the entire population of Canada). This tradition was particularly strong among younger generations, with 96% of Generation Z (aged 18-27) planning resolutions, compared to just 35% of the Silent Generation (aged 79+).
Most common new years resolutions:
- Saving more money (52%)
- Eat healthier (50%)
- Exercise more (48%)
- Lose weight (37%)
- Spend more time with family/friends (35%)
How long do most resolutions normally last before being broken?
- Data from America (2016) shows that 75% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first week.
- 64% of individuals maintain their resolutions through the first month.
- 46% of individuals in America keep their resolutions past the 6-month mark.
What makes resolutions stick?
Oscarsson et al. (2020) conducted research into what makes New Year’s resolutions stick. Biggest success rates depended on how people phrased their goals. Participants who set approach-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) than those with avoidance-oriented goals (trying to move toward or maintain a desirable outcome or state) were significantly more successful (58.9% vs. 47.1%) at sticking to their goals.
The study also investigates the effects of outside support. These participants received monthly follow-ups and emails with information and exercises for coping with hurdles when striving toward personal goals, and were also encouraged to set goals using the SMART technique and to set interim goals. The group that received some support was exclusively and significantly more successful compared to the groups who received a lot of support or no support at all.
Additionally, you might feel more successful if you set goals that are measurable in numbers. While success for a person striving to quit smoking or lose weight could easily be measured in the number of cigarettes smoked or body mass index, the success for a person striving to “take better care of themselves” could be highly subjective and possibly impossible to measure.
So as we enter 2026, let’s remember to work with our brain’s natural learning system: Frame your goals positively, break them into manageable steps, and celebrate small wins along the way.