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Dueling Clocks: How Academic Women Balance Childcare With The Road To Tenure, Erin Careless

Adult Education Research Conference

This proposed study looks at the experience of academic women as they combine the demanding roles of motherhood and academic seeking tenure. Literature has identified several themes related to role-balancing: social and gender roles/expectations, time limitations of tenure and childrearing years, available support, ambiguous policies, and personal expectations (Armenti, 2004; Ward & Wolf-Wendel, 2004; Young & Wright, 2001). Data will be obtained using narrative inquiry, and examined through a critical feminist perspective. Individuals representing both academics and those employed in the policy sector will be interviewed, with the aim of assisting in the adaptation of university-based policy for academics. Introduction