Scientific Careers and Work-Life Balance: Striking a Balance Between Services (inadequate) and Family Life (asymmetric)

Quantitative data on female careers in Italian Medical and Engineering University Departments reveal said careers to be one of the most problematic areas in terms of gender equality. Based on the premise that  work-life balance is crucial, we conducted a survey to determine the status quo of these professionals from both a private and public perspective. The survey was conducted on the professors and researchers (men and women) of the Departments of Engineering and Medicine (including all six specialization departments) of the University of Pisa, Italy. The study was carried out in the District of Pisa, since work-life balance services fall under the duties of local government in Italy. Our presentation aims to illustrate the results of the survey (including methodological aspects) which can be divided into three areas: a) specific needs, in terms of the time needed for research, teaching and work in hospital or on construction sites; b) family setting; and c) satisfaction with the current offer of local services related to Work-Life balance.