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Why science needs a new reward and recognition system

Researchers with children or carer roles have struggled more than others during the pandemic, amplifying existing inequalities, argue Edyta Swider-Cios and colleagues.
  1. Edyta Swider-Cios

    1. Edyta Swider-Cios is a researcher in the Department of Cognitive Neuropsychology, Tilburg University, the Netherlands, and is a former project manager at the Young Academy of Europe.

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  2. Katalin Solymosi

    1. Katalin Solymosi is an assistant professor in the Department of Plant Anatomy, ELTE Eötvös Loránd University, Budapest, Hungary, a board member of the Young Academy of Europe and co-chair of the Hungarian Young Academy.

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  3. Mangala Srinivas

    1. Mangala Srinivas is a professor of cell biology and immunology at Wageningen University and Research, the Netherlands, chief science officer at Cenya Imaging in Amsterdam and outgoing chair of the Young Academy of Europe.

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The chance of ’success’ in an academic science career, which has historically been defined as obtaining a permanent position, is low1,2. Because of this, early-career researchers, including PhD students, postdocs and junior faculty members, are vulnerable to extra stresses3–5.

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Nature 595, 751-753 (2021)

doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/d41586-021-01952-6

This is an article from the Nature Careers Community, a place for Nature readers to share their professional experiences and advice. Guest posts are encouraged.

Updates & Corrections

  • Correction 19 July 2021: An earlier version of this story erroneously stated that Mangala Srinivas is chief security officer at Cenya Imaging.

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Competing Interests

The authors declare no competing interests.

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