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Caught Between Kids and Career? – Systemic Counseling for Mothers in Academia

Are you a mother and a student – and often feel torn between these two roles? Are you considering a career in academia but wondering whether a desire for children fits into that path – or whether you're even "allowed" to have it? Is studying with a child (or children) pushing you to your limits? Has the combination of parenting and working in science brought new challenges into your life – or intensified existing ones?

You're not alone. And you don’t have to face it alone.

As part of the pilot project "Motherhood and Academia" (FEM POWER Vision), I offer systemic counseling – a dedicated and protected space to pause and explore the areas of life where conflict often arises, but time and clarity are missing in the rush of everyday life.

What is systemic counseling?

Systemic counseling is a holistic method that helps you address challenges in different areas of your life, reflect on relationships, and develop new perspectives. It’s resource-oriented, individual, and impactful – even when conflicts have been simmering for a while or are just beginning to emerge.

My offer is open to:
– Students, staff, and researchers
– Individuals and couples
– People with children or those considering parenthood
– Anyone looking to actively shape a work-family balance

The counseling is:
– free of charge
– confidential
– available online or in person

Who will support you?

My name is Dr. Sarah Czerney. I'm a media and cultural studies scholar, systemic counselor (in training, DGSF), and co-founder of the national network Motherhood and Academia. At KGC, I coordinate the pilot project "Motherhood and Academia" as part of FEM POWER Vision, offering systemic counseling to support mothers and people navigating motherhood in academic environments.

Whether you're already a mother or considering becoming one – you deserve space, clarity, and support.

The Philipp Schwartz Initiative (PSI) is pleased to announce the opening of its 16th call for applications, providing German universities, non-university research institutions, and other scientific organizations the opportunity to support researchers at risk from outside the EU. The initiative offers funding to institutions willing to host researchers who are facing acute and significant threats to their safety, enabling them to continue their research in Germany.

Objective of the Philipp Schwartz Initiative

The PSI aims to provide a safe academic environment for endangered researchers and to enable them to continue their work in Germany. Eligible researchers can be awarded a research fellowship for up to 24 months. During this time, they will be integrated into the scientific and social structures of the hosting institution and receive support for their professional re-establishment.

Funding Opportunities and Conditions

Successful applications allow the nominated researchers to receive a fellowship for up to 24 months. A co-financing model offers the possibility of extending the fellowship for up to an additional 12 months. Please note that no applications for employment contracts can be submitted under this initiative. In addition, successful institutions will receive extra funding to support the integration and career restart of the Philipp Schwartz Fellows.

Applications must be submitted via the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation's application portal. Starting on June 30, 2025, the link to the application portal will be available on the Philipp Schwartz Initiative website. Please ensure that all applications are fully completed. A complete application consists of:

• A) A submitted framework form

• B) The added individual nominations

The application deadline is August 22, 2025, with the selection results expected to be announced in late November 2025. Funding can begin on January 1, 2026.

Evidence of Endangerment and Application Process

Endangered researchers nominated for this initiative must provide evidence of their personal endangerment. For applicants from Belarus, Russia, Azerbaijan, or Central Asian countries, the Philipp Schwartz Initiative can directly accept endangerment evidence. For Afghan, Sudanese, or Ukrainian nominees, a self-declaration of endangerment (1–2 pages, written and signed by the nominated person) will suffice.

Endangerment can also be documented through a person’s status in connection with an asylum procedure in the EU or through a written statement from a credible third party (e.g., NGOs). Institutions are advised to check with the Alexander von Humboldt Foundation to ensure the validity of third-party evidence of endangerment in advance.

Support from Partner Organizations

The Philipp Schwartz Initiative collaborates closely with its partner organizations Scholars at Risk Network (SAR) and Council for At-Risk Academics (CARA). These organizations support a large number of endangered researchers and can assist institutions in identifying suitable candidates to nominate. Additional information can be found on the partner organizations' websites:

• Scholars at Risk Network: Scholars seeking in Germany

• Council for At-Risk Academics: How to Help

Information Session

To provide further information about the application process, the Philipp Schwartz Initiative will hold a consultation session on July 2, 2025, from 1:30 PM to 2:30 PM. Interested parties can register for the session by emailing schwartz-initiative@avh.de by June 30, 2025. The participation link will be sent in advance.

Contact Information

For questions regarding the Philipp Schwartz Initiative, please contact the following team members:

• Holger Radke (Program Officer)

• Katja Machacsek (Program Coordinator)

• Bianca Schneemayer, Judith Dömer-Warnecke, Lena Vos, Sandra Grziwa (Program Advisors)

You can reach the team via email at: schwartz-initiative@avh.de.

Conclusion

The Philipp Schwartz Initiative provides a valuable opportunity for German research institutions to support endangered researchers and offer them a chance to continue their important work in a safe environment. We encourage institutions that have not yet participated in this initiative to apply and contribute to the international scientific community.

Motherhood and an academic career – a balancing act?
Despite years of efforts to promote equal opportunities, combining motherhood and a career in academia remains a challenge. Whether during studies, doctoral research, or later career stages – mothers often face structural barriers that hinder their professional advancement. The COVID-19 pandemic has further exposed these challenges, especially the disproportionate burden of unpaid care work carried by mothers in academia.

With our pilot project “Motherhood and Academia”, launched as part of the ESF-funded initiative FEM POWER Vision (Coordinating Office for Gender Research & Equality Saxony-Anhalt, running from 2024 to 2027), we aim to address this issue. Our goal is to develop sustainable measures that make it easier to combine motherhood and academic careers in Saxony-Anhalt.

And for that, we need you!

We want to hear about your experiences, perspectives, and needs – to create meaningful solutions that lead to real change.

Who can participate?

• Academics who are mothers or expecting (including students) at universities, universities of applied sciences, and art schools in Saxony-Anhalt

• Gender equality stakeholders (e.g., equality officers, family services, and similar)

Take the Survey

• 👉 For mothers and pregnant individuals (including students):
  https://befragungen.ovgu.de/muwi/?q=FP_MuWi

• 👉 For gender equality stakeholders:
  https://befragungen.ovgu.de/muwi/?q=FP_MuWi_GBA

🕒 The survey is anonymous, takes about 10–15 minutes, and will remain open until August 8, 2025.

Why your voice matters

Only by listening to those directly affected can we develop practical, targeted strategies that lead to lasting change. Your input will help us identify gaps, challenge existing structures, and pave the way for greater visibility, equity, and work-life balance in academia.