Diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programs can only be implemented successfully if proper work-life balance is possible in Heliophysics (and in STEM field in general). One of the core issues stems from the culture of "work-above-life" associated with mission concepts, development, and implementation but also the expectations that seem to originate from numerous announcements from NASA (and other agencies). The benefits of work-life balance are well documented; however, the entire system surrounding research in Heliophysics hinders or discourages proper work-life balance. For example, there does not seem to be attention paid by NASA Headquarters (HQ) on the timing of their announcements regarding how it will be perceived by researchers, and how the timing may promote a culture where work trumps personal life. The same is true for remarks by NASA HQ program officers during panels or informal discussions, where seemingly innocuous comments may give a perception that work is expected after "normal" work hours. In addition, we are calling for work-life balance plans and implementation to be one of the criteria used for down-selection and confirmation of missions (Key Decision Points: KDP-B, KDP-C).
@article{arxiv.2306.05444,
title = {Work-Life Balance Starts with Proper Deadlines and Exemplary Agencies},
author = {Noé Lugaz and Réka M. Winslow and Nada Al-Haddad and Christina O. Lee and Sarah K. Vines and Katharine Reeves and Amir Caspi and Daniel Seaton and Cooper Downs and Lindsay Glesener and Angelos Vourlidas and Camilla Scolini and Tibor Török and Robert Allen and Erika Palmerio},
journal= {arXiv preprint arXiv:2306.05444},
year = {2023}
}
Comments
White paper submitted to the Decadal Survey for Solar and Space Physics (Heliophysics) 2024-2033; 6 pages