Thread by @RobertLepenies

As I'm currently co-organizing a large conference again, here are some things academic conferences can do to become more family-friendly. cc @GlobalYAcademy #academicswithchildren #academicmom #academicdad #ecrchat #andascientist

A checklist for the ideal conference: (1/11)

Onsite (subsized or *free*) childcare is the golden ticket of conference family-friendliness. Unfortunately, it is often quite difficult to find funding for this. But if you have it, this will allow parents to really make the most of their attendance. (2/11)

Early on, organizers can publish recommendations on the website & programme for accomodation that is family friendly (bonus points if there are subsidies for it). Likewise with activities and kid-friendly restaurants in the host city. (3/11)

If you dare to dream, a conference organizer could facilitate the networking between #academicparents, maybe by giving them a platform to organize and even suggest a place to meet other families who want to hang out (& help each other out with the spare diaper or so). (4/11)

Having a nursing/pumping/baby-changing room during the conference is often appreciated. To anticipate need, registration forms should allow moms/parents to indicate their (nursing) requirements. Bonus points if those rooms do not look utterly terrible (have some toys?). (5/11)

What about partners who come along? In an ideal world, there would be subsidised stays for co-travelling care-takers, freedom from registration fees and designated lunches and breaks for families/guests/partners. (6/11)

Ambitiously, organizers should offer some slots for tele-attendance. Why not give the chance to participate via skype and stream sessions for people who have to cancel last-minute? (7/11)

Explicitly mention on registration form, conference materials and other announcements that kids & partners are welcome. That also means trying to structure the programme such that there are frequent breaks, and that key events are not taking place very late or very early. (8/11)

Quiet rooms are great for conferences for a number of reasons, but what about storage space for strollers, breast-pumps, baby-carriers? Provide those spaces (and people who watch that stuff). (9/11)

Anything else I've forgotten? Feel free to let me know below. Likewise, which conference or institution does this extremely well? Are there other cool ideas we have missed? (10/11)

Anyway, here's a picture summing up the ideal family-friendly conference. How well does your conference score? (11/11)

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