Scientist Mothers Working in Childcare Deserts Are Less Likely to Attain Tenure

Abstract Childcare shortages have limited families’ access to quality care, with consequences for children’s development and parents’ careers. We link two decades of childcare supply data to longitudinal surveys of U.S. scientists. We find workplace childcare deserts are widespread: more than half of scientists at universities and research institutions work in deserts, where supply falls significantly short of demand. We further find mothers working in deserts are less likely to attain tenure. They are also more likely to move to industry and part-time positions. Reduced work time partly accounts for the tenure association but other reasons remain. Expanding childcare availability near workplaces may help retain scientific talent.