Abstract
As more and more women enter the workforce, issues regarding childbearing and caretaking have become more prominent. Challenges women face with the timing of pregnancy, finding affordable childcare, and meeting the multitude of demands inherent with raising children are starting to be addressed by many employers. In the university setting, structural and cultural factors pose barriers yet also provide almost unheard-of flexibility. While some of these challenges are being addressed by employers, funding agencies, and communities, one area of particular concern is safety for women chemists. There are hazards associated with working with chemicals, and the risks associated with them may be higher during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There is no easy way of assessing and minimizing the risks. This chapter will review the safety concerns for women chemists, current policies and practices for dealing with safety challenges, experiences of women faculty, and considerations for departments and administrators.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
Notes
- 1.
The Globally Harmonized System of Classification and Labeling of Chemicals (GHS) was developed by the United Nations (UN) to better align adopting countries with respect to chemical hazards. Countries that have adopted the GHS require safety data sheets (SDS) in step with GHS expectations. These SDS replace the former materials safety data sheets (MSDS) system. The SDS are required to provide information on the identity, composition, and the physical and chemical properties of the substance. Additionally, the SDS provide information on the hazards, measures for addressing fire or accidental release, exposure controls and personal protection, and toxicological information. For more information about the GHS SDS, see the US Occupational Safety and Health Administration Brief on SDS (https://www.osha.gov/Publications/OSHA3514.html).
- 2.
It is important to note that SDS are not guaranteed to be correct and each contains a disclaimer at the end. It is always wise to search for other reliable sources for additional chemical information, such as the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) pocket guide (https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npg/search.html).
- 3.
- 4.
- 5.
Depending on the size of your institution and the degree to which chemical research is emphasized, this may be an office of only a single person, or it could be a much larger department with several staff members.
References
Grunert ML (2010) Women’s career choices in chemistry: motivations, perceptions, and a conceptual model. Dissertation, Purdue University
Kemsley J (2009) Researcher dies after lab fire. Chem Eng News. American Chemical Society. Available: https://cen.acs.org/articles/87/web/2009/01/Researcher-Dies-Lab-Fire.html. Accessed 16 Feb 2018
Acknowledgments
Thank you to all the women who shared their stories and made this work possible.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Ethics declarations
The personal accounts contained in this chapter have been contributed by a collection of individuals from various different backgrounds and institutions. This chapter describes the results of a qualitative research study and aims to catalyze individual, departmental, and campus discussions on supporting women’s reproductive safety in academic chemistry laboratories. This chapter does not purport to specify career advice, safety advice, or legal advice or to represent the policy of the American Chemical Society. No warranty, guarantee, or representation is made by the American Chemical Society as to the accuracy or sufficiency of the information contained herein, and the Society assumes no responsibility in connection therewith. Registered names and trademarks, etc., used in this publication, even without specific indication thereof, are not to be considered unprotected by laws.
About the Author
About the Author
Education and Professional Career
- 2004:
-
BS Chemistry, Biology, Spanish, University of Indianapolis, Indianapolis, IN
- 2008:
-
MS Chemistry, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 2010:
-
PhD Chemistry, Women’s Studies Graduate Certificate, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN
- 2010–2011:
-
Research and Teaching Postdoc, Iowa State University, Ames, IA
- 2011–2016:
-
Assistant Professor, Chemistry and Science Education, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
- 2016–present:
-
Associate Professor, Chemistry and Science Education, Western Michigan University, Kalamazoo, MI
Honors and Awards (Selected)
- 2017:
-
Western Michigan University Excellence in Discovery: Research and External Funding over $1 Million Dollars for Five Years, Principal Investigator 2012–2016
- 2015:
-
Western Michigan University Excellence in Discovery: Research and External Funding in 2014–2015
- 2012:
-
Western Michigan University College of Arts and Sciences Teaching and Research Award
- 2011:
-
The Michigan College Chemistry Teachers Association Stanley Kirschner Award
- 2009:
-
University of Michigan National Center for Institutional Diversity Emerging Diversity Scholar Citation
Megan’s current projects include exploring the identity development and experiences of graduate students from underrepresented minority groups, women chemists’ academic and career choices, motivational theories in undergraduate and graduate STEM education, feminist critiques of academic science, experiences of LGBTQ+ scientists, and assessing online STEM undergraduate courses.
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2018 Springer International Publishing AG, part of Springer Nature
About this chapter
Cite this chapter
Kowalske, M.G. (2018). Motherhood and Academic Chemistry Laboratories: Safety and Career Challenges from a Qualitative Study. In: Woznack, K., Charlebois, A., Cole, R., Marzabadi, C., Webster, G. (eds) Mom the Chemistry Professor . Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78972-9_2
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-78972-9_2
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, Cham
Print ISBN: 978-3-319-78971-2
Online ISBN: 978-3-319-78972-9
eBook Packages: Chemistry and Materials ScienceChemistry and Material Science (R0)