The Science and Families Group is a forum for people who have careers in the sciences and who also have chosen to have children. It is a place where people can share ideas about how they succeed being both a scientist and a parent.

The group grew out of an idea from the Ecological Society of America's 2007 meetings when I as a new mother started talking to other parents discussing ways in which we are able to continue our scientific careers while still maintaining a rewarding family life. Great ideas were shared and I realized that a public forum for sharing these thoughts at a wider level could be very useful to a lot of people.

The idea met with considerable support when presented at the plenary luncheon at the conclusion of the ESA meetings, so this forum is our initial foray into sharing ideas about such topics as how to do field work with a family, how to keep up with publications and research after having a baby, and how best to achieve tenure when you want to still spend time with your kids.

I invite you to join in, share your experiences, ask questions, and help create a space for knowledge, support, and kinship among scientists who have or want to start families.

Best,
Carolyn