Female Postgraduate Research Students and Early Career Researchers with Caring Responsibilities (FECARE)

Research Team

Cagla Karatepe (PI)

Xinran Gao

Dr Mingzhi Li

Research Aims

The research project aims to identify challenges faced by FECARE across the university to raise awareness on these issues by :

1. Identifying specific needs through Focus Groups: Engage with FECARE (part-time and full-time) within the University of Warwick to document their experiences, and understand their specific needs.

2. Publishing and Disseminating Academic Findings: Share the research outcomes through academic publications, conference presentations, and university-wide communications to raise awareness and advocate for policies that address the challenges faced by FECARE.

Research Background

This project aims to enhance the inclusion and experience of female PGRs and ECRs with caring responsibilities

(FECARE) within the departmental and university-wide research culture. The 2023 UK Postgraduate Research Experience Survey revealed that female doctoral students, especially those with caregiving roles, report lower satisfaction with research culture compared to their male peers, often missing academic opportunities. Caring responsibilities, which may involve long-term care for children, elderly relatives, or disabled family members, create significant challenges, including stress and barriers to academic careers, particularly for mothers and international students. Despite the availability of resources, they are often underutilised, leading to isolation. This project seeks to address these gaps and support FECARE with diverse caregiving roles, fostering a more inclusive academic environment.