EPSRC vows to raise awareness of flexible research careers

Research council says two thirds of researchers are unaware of the support it provides

The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council has promised to raise awareness about flexible careers, after a survey revealed a lack of knowledge about them among its grantees.

The survey of 125 EPSRC grantees found that 65 per cent of researchers and 76 per cent of students were unaware of its provision of support for flexible careers, such as maternity and paternity leave, and part-time research. While most respondents did not require flexible working, nearly one in five said they were not able to access the support they needed.