Childcare at Plant Biology 2018 – An Important Piece of the Equity Puzzle

A recent PNAS opinion piece raised the issue of the conference childcare conundrum–the hard choice parents must make between attending career-building conferences and finding appropriate childcare during these conferences (PNAS March 5, 2018. 201803153). One positive development is the increasing availability of childcare at scientific conferences, including at the Plant Biology 2018 meeting set to take place in Montréal July 14–18.

ASPB is proud to have offered childcare at its annual meeting for many years, as noted in the PNAS article. Plant Biology 2018 is no exception, with available onsite childcare at rates (see details below) partially supported by a grant from the Romanoff Foundation.  ASPB feels strongly that childcare at conferences promotes equity for all attendees and will have wide-reaching benefits in the community as a whole.

Details:

Childcare at Plant Biology 2018 is available for $10/child/hour and will take place on site at the convention center, making it easy for parents to swing in between sessions or at lunch. All ages (up to 18 years) are accepted, but the most common ages fall in the 6 month–12 year range. The hours primarily cover the conference-sponsored events:

  • Saturday, 8:00 am–8:00 pm
  • Sunday, 8:00 am–7:00 pm
  • Monday, 8:00 am–7:00 pm
  • Tuesday, 8:00 am–11:00 pm
  • Wednesday, 8:30 am–12:00 pm

Attendees can provide the times/dates childcare is needed after they have registered and any at time before the meeting. Questions regarding childcare can be sent to PBregistration@aspb.org.

Written by Peridot Scientific Communications staff, with a substantial contribution from Emily Larson

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