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Carers In STEMM

@carersinstemm.bsky.social
532 followers 654 following 51 posts

Co-founded by 3 Lauras | UKRI funded | #UKRIFLF | Supporting those with caring responsibilities in academia in STEMM | Take the #CarersInSTEMM Survey today!

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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Loved the Women & the Future of Science event @royalsociety.org. Honest & at times stark: women’s (in)visibility in science, the unequal load of caregiving & need to outperform just to perform A clear theme emerged: don’t “fix” women, fix the system. -Flexiblity -Grants -Affordable childcare -Data
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 28/02/2026
Yesterday we had the privilege of contributing to a RoundTable in Whitehall on "Women in Research" - the future, barriers & potential solutions to address many systemic issues. We're excited to see how these conversations continue @laurawolz.bsky.social @carterlj.bsky.social @pallettlab.bsky.social
the 3Lauras that make up Carers in STEMM standing outside 22 Whitehall, London. The 3 females are standing in front a large gate.
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Thiago Carvalho @cyrilpedia.bsky.social · 27/11/2025
'Our research has found that patchy implementation of family-friendly policies and unsympathetic managerial cultures push women to work as if nothing has changed. They are required to give birth to the “ideal academic baby”: a child who never disrupts grant deadlines, seminars or student emails.'
theconversation.com
How UK universities are failing mothers on their staff
What actually happens when an academic gets pregnant, takes leave and then returns to work?
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 19/11/2025
Less than 3 weeks until our final report launch event 9th Dec. (London) 10am We will be welcoming a fantastic panel: 🌟Jo O'Leary (UKRI) 🌟Sara Mole (UCL) 🌟John Tregoning (Imperial) 🌟Katie Perry (Daphne Trust) 🌟Jennie Evans (BSI) 🌟Ilaria Meazzini (RSC) Register here: www.carersinstemm.co.uk
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Fiona J Whelan @whelanfj.bsky.social · 13/11/2025
Very insightful launch of @carersinstemm.bsky.social today at @manchester.ac.uk! Understanding the barriers associated with caring responsibilities is something I'm really passionate about and its amazing to see Carers in STEMM quantifying and advocating for carers in academia.
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
To hear more about the Carers in STEMM survey - the hidden barrier to parents and carers - there is still time to join us Manchester: 13th November London: 9th December (Both hybrid) Spread the word!
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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 23/10/2025
Congrats to @carersinstemm.bsky.social for a successful and insightful launch event in Edinburgh's grand Playfair library. They're calling for systemic changes to funding, policy & culture to support carers in STEM. Read more 👉 carersinstemm.co.uk & join future events in London/Manchester/Online 👩‍🔬🧪
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 22/10/2025
Today marked the 1st of our “Roadshow” events to formally launch our survey report in the stunning venue of the Playfair library - Edinburgh A huge thank you to panellists @pallettlab.bsky.social @astroroyalscot.bsky.social Wei-Yu Lu (father, MRC fellow) Janette Wark (EPSRC) Adrian Lu (GCU) 👏👏👏
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Isabel N Christie PhD @izzynchristie.bsky.social · 21/10/2025
Love this, I met @michellemonje.bsky.social after my first child years ago. I was feeling anxious about my science future, Michelle was very encouraging. What an incredible role model @carersinstemm.bsky.social Now I have 3 children and my first grant
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Laura Carter @carterlj.bsky.social · 17/10/2025
I had the opportunity to travel to Australia as part of a Fellowship - as this was for 6 weeks my whole family came. This was my daughter waiting to make sure her suitcase had made it to the plane ✈️ 🥰 #stemm #muminscience
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Ursula Hofer @hoferu.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
I'm impressed how people combine scientific careers and parenthood and I love seeing babies at conferences. However, what I would love even more if everyone had access to appropriate parental leave. This is me accepting my first EiC job, couple hours old newborn in tow, starting 6mo mat leave.
Me, many years ago (oh, the innocence of youth 😉), in bed with a pram and newborn next to me, replying to the email offering me my first EiC job, big grin on my face.
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Diana E Matei @dianaematei.bsky.social · 14/10/2025
My husband and I are both in STEMM so to help us with the guilt of travelling for conferences we made it into a cute tradition of being walked to the bus/train by our cute lil helper (who is 4 TODAY 🥹🥹)
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Doryen Bubeck @doryenbubeck.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
This was me with my mom going for an @EMBO young investigator award interview 2 weeks after my son was born. Thank goodness for moms and a quick turn around at the passport office 😆
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Laura Wolz @laurawolz.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
Travel with the babies… I can’t say I cherish the memories of sleep deprived nights followed by exhausting and long conference days. I could only make it work, as we could afford my mum tagging along, a huge privilege as she had to come all the way from Germany! 🧪🔭
Laura with a baby carrier containing baby nr2. The selfie is taken at the airport with a plane in the background. Laura smiles but her face suggests exhaustion….Laura with a baby carrier containing baby nr1. Selfie taken in Paris with a church in the background. Laura smiles but her eyes look tired.
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 13/10/2025
By way of a celebration of the juggle many carers & parents go through to make travel for research happen, why not share your “STEMM life with dependants” photos 😃 🧪 Let’s amplify, discuss, normalise the balancing act, & celebrate the superpowers often required ⚖️ We ❤️ seeing them! #STEMMCarers
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Laura Wolz @laurawolz.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
Oh hello there!!! The printed copies of our report have arrived - and I am the chosen Laura to lug them across the country! So, come and join us in Edinburgh on the 22nd of October for our first @carersinstemm.bsky.social report launch and get your own copy! forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
A phot showing a pile of printed report with green cover page. The front title reads The Dual Demands of Academic Travel and Caregiving and shows a graphic of different caregiving situations as well as a wordcloud.
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
We LOVE seeing this!!!! 👏👏👏👏👏 Scientist, Wonder Woman, Carer ❤️
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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
You can also join one of the three report launch events where the team will be sharing their actionable recommendations to improve support for all academic carers. Please come and say hello to me if you’re at the Edinburgh event! 9/end🧵 Register👉: forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
So today I celebrate the work of @carersinstemm.bsky.social who are calling for systemic changes to funding, policy & culture to support carers in STEM. Funders & employers must listen if they recognise and value the importance of a diverse workforce.👩‍🔬🧪 Read their report 👉 carersinstemm.co.uk 8/9🧵
A Carers Guide for Institutions
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Ensure institutional expense policy allows for the reimbursement of care-related costs including dependant and co-carer travel expenses.
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Update and align institutional financial reimbursement policy with funder T&C’s relating to care-giving costs.
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Establish institutional policy and disseminate to line managers and expense approvers to avoid inconsistent implementation and support.
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Provide flexible carers grants for all staff and students with minimal administrative burden to flexibly support ad-hoc care and do not mandate online attendance.
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Consider the competing demands of meeting sustainability goals and the requirement to support carers (e.g. trains, flight times on weekends).
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Decouple measures of research impact and esteem from travel opportunities with updated academic guidance.
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Allow for family-friendly travel accommodation options including booking outside of approved institutional travel providers.
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Provide a per-diem (a daily allowance) option for complex trips to reduce
administrative burden on carers.
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When hosting an event, ensure risk assessments and insurance policy align to allow access to those under the age of 18.
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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
Conventional wisdom says motherhood should wait for tenure as before you land a permanent post, #academia is just not that family friendly🙁 @carersinstemm.bsky.social are calling for change and to celebrate their new report, a Saturday🧵on parenting & academia! 1/9 👩‍🔬🧪🔭⚛️ ℹ️: carersinstemm.co.uk
From 2006. A younger and shell-shocked looking Catherine on a balcony holding a very tiny baby with the mountains of Vancouver in the background.  The baby is so new, Catherine still has the pregnant bump.
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
Edinburgh and surrounding areas, please join us in 3 weeks for our first report launch event! After presenting our survey findings, we have a great line-up of panelist, including the fantastic @astroroyalscot.bsky.social! Register via forms.office.com/Pages/Respon...
Advertisement poster of our Carers in STEMM report launch event in Edinburgh, on the 22.10.2025 at Playfair from 10am. More details can be found via event registration https://forms.office.com/Pages/ResponsePage.aspx?id=B8tSwU5hu0qBivA1z6kad4JPwQzjYCRIgeFJLWslxmNURE5QNENLOE1LN1lOMlZPUlZYT0RJTklQOC4u
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
We are pleased to announce the publication of our STEMM sector-wide survey The report highlights our findings & suggests recommendations. Now available to download here carersinstemm.co.uk Please share especially w/ institutions, funders & allies @laurawolz.bsky.social @carterlj.bsky.social
Screenshot of the front page of the carers in STEMM survey report
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Do we have any contacts at a Northern Ireland university? 🙏🧪
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 21/09/2025
🚨We're going on tour!🚨 Join us for 1 of our "Report Launch" networking events: Edinburgh, Manchester, London, or the comfort of your own home! We will present the 'Carers in STEMM' survey findings, host panel discussions w/ policy markers, EDI advocates & fellow parents/carers. Spread the word!📣
Poster detailing a series of events hosted by Carers in STEMM in Edinburgh (22nd October), Manchester (13th November) or London (9th December). Events will be hybrid. Poster includes a QR code for registration. Contact us for alternative registration processes. 

Poster also details the financial support available to facilitate the full attendance of carers in STEMM or interested, supportive allies
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yEFIS @yefis-immunology.bsky.social · 25/08/2025
👶✈️ Balancing caregiving and academic travel? Join Dr. Laura Pallett for "The Dual Demands of Academic Travel and Caregiving" 🗓️ Sept 25 | 🕒15:00 CEST 🔗https://tinyurl.com/yefis2025-ia2 Hosted by the Improving Academia group of yEFIS
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 06/07/2025
1/3rd of the 3Lauras presented last week at the "New UCL Academics Group" - this new network is seeking to improve culture for the next generation of the scientists we are training, so was great to share of our work around caring responsibilities & travel opportunities. Thanks for the invite!
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 18/06/2025
Fantastic to have 1 of the 3Lauras shortlisted for such a fantastic @britsocimm.bsky.social Award. Congratulations to the winners 👏
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Paul Belcher FRCP HonMFPH 🇪🇺🇬🇧 @pauljbelcher.bsky.social · 15/06/2025
🚹 Report: #PaternityLeave policies vary in Europe but the UK's offer is "one of the worst in the developed world". 🇬🇧 2 weeks at £187.18 a week 🇪🇸 6 weeks with full pay 🇩🇰 24 weeks at full pay 🇸🇪 10 months: First 390 days up to SEK47,750 (£3,590) a month. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
How UK paternity leave compares to the rest of Europe
Most dads in the UK get two weeks off work after their baby is born, but dads in many European countries get more.
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Sinead English @englishse.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
For those interested on the caregiving & science initiative, follow @carersinstemm.bsky.social and read their article about conference travel (very pertinent!!) www.nature.com/articles/d41...
nature.com
Researcher parents are paying a high price for conference travel — here’s how to fix it
Three scientist mothers call for a change in how conference childcare costs are reimbursed, drawing on their personal experiences.
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 11/06/2025
The news is out now 😉 We are proud to say we, the 3Lauras, have been awarded the @ukri.org “Advancing Culture” 2025 Impact Award for our work trying to improve caring provisions at conferences, grant funding & policy here at Carers in STEMM 👏 The recognition is fantastic - 🙏 !
2 of the 3Lauras collecting their UKRI advancing culture impact award2 of the 3Lauras in front of a poster describing the work of Carers in STEMM
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Dr Louise Marryat @lmarryat.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
@carersinstemm.bsky.social looking forward to this UKRI FLF session on academic travel and caregiving... very pertinent for me at present!
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Great to feature among the other fantastic projects at the Annual #FLFConference
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London Infection Network for/by ECRs (LINE) @londoninfectionecr.bsky.social · 09/06/2025
We’re excited to have @laurawolz.bsky.social and @carterlj.bsky.social from @carersinstemm.bsky.social with us today to tell us about their important work advocating for equitable and accessible support for those balancing caring and career. #LINEsymposium2025
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
🚅2 of the 3Lauras will be on tour next week🚅 We will be attending the @londoninfectionecr.bsky.social ECR-focussed LINE symposium to share some insights into our sector-wide survey. Looking forward to it. If you are attending and want to know more, come say hi 👋
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 05/06/2025
2 of the 3Lauras will be attending this years @ukri.org FLF Annual Conference next week in Brighton to share some headline findings of our sector-wide #survey during what we hope will be an engaged & enlightening panel discussion. If you want to find out more, grab us for a coffee :-)
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
We're excited to share that 1 of our 3Lauras has been shortlisted as a finalist for @britsocimm.bsky.social's "Diversity & Inclusion Award" this year #BSIImmunologyAwards So great to see a fantastic line-up of initiatives seeking to improve inclusion in STEMM shortlisted for this 👏
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
Last week the 3Lauras drafted a report highlighting findings from our sector-wide survey of UK #researchers balancing caregiving & travel. The data have specifically informed a set of recommendations for the sector, to improve inclusivity & improve policy To read the report WATCH THIS SPACE! 📝
3 academics all called Laura standing in front of University of Leeds sign - the location for an in person meeting to draft a report showcasing the findings our a recent survey to investigate the hidden barrier of travel and academic career progression. 3 academics all called Laura standing in front of University of Leeds sign - the location for an in person meeting to draft a report showcasing the findings our a recent survey to investigate the hidden barrier of travel and academic career progression.
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Mauro Gaya @maurogaya.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
Dr. Laura Pallett from University College London 🇬🇧 will be presenting her work on "Tissue-resident memory CD8+ T cells: master deciphers of the liver microenvironment". Check her recent study on this topic: pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36697826/ @pallettlab.bsky.social #EMBOBarrierTissues
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yEFIS @yefis-immunology.bsky.social · 26/05/2025
🎓 PhD in immunology (or related field) in Europe? Help yEFIS map PhD requirements across institutions! 🧪 For current PhD students & grads (last 3 yrs) 📝 Please share your experience in our short survey: 🔗 docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F... #PhD #Immunology #yEFIS #Academia #PhDLife #Survey
docs.google.com
yEFIS Improving Academia: PhD requirements survey
This survey aims to collect information on the disparate conditions attached to PhD access and completion/graduation in different graduate schools, universities and countries. This information is cr...
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Pallett Lab UCL @pallettlab.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Thanks for the huge shout out to @carersinstemm.bsky.social - this is definitely the brainchild of the 3Lauras… so an additional shout out to @laurawolz.bsky.social and @carterlj.bsky.social My Lauras in crime 😆
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London Immunology Group @london-immuno.bsky.social · 14/05/2025
Go give a follow to @carersinstemm.bsky.social to learn more on the amazing initiative that @pallettlab.bsky.social has been part of Carers in STEMM advocates for equitable & accessible support for those balancing caring and career in the world of academia
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
Today we workshopped the “survey” What happened: 3Lauras in 1 room, coffee & explorations into the data captured Outcome: Some stark statistics, but equally some fantastic insights into policy change & further advocacy work @carterlj.bsky.social @laurawolz.bsky.social @pallettlab.bsky.social
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
We've had lots of new followers recently, so we thought we'd re-introduce ourselves We are 3 scientists, all called Laura (who also happen to be mothers 😀) advocating for equitable & accessible support for those balancing caring and career. Get in touch, if you want to talk. Nice to meet you 👋
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 27/02/2025
2 of the 3 Lauras will be present & correct for this @londoninfectionecr.bsky.social symposium. We really can’t wait to share data from our sector-wide survey with you all. Who’s coming!? hands up!
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 30/01/2025
Thank you to the @universityofexeter.bsky.social Department of Physics & Astronomy’s Astrophysics Group for hosting @carterlj.bsky.social for an afternoon to discuss how we can better support academic carers who travel and preliminary results from our Carers in STEMM #survey
Picture of Laura Carter presenting at a seminar at University of Exeter on Carers in STEMM activities
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 27/01/2025
We have set up a LinkedIn Group for Carers in STEMM where you can find more about what we are getting up to 💻 Please join us 👇 www.linkedin.com/groups/13145...
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 22/01/2025
As part of #CarersInSTEMM we are working to highlight available #funding and #grants for #academic carers wishing to participate in meetings, conferences & workshops. Please share links / information you are familiar with so we can try to increase the reach of these opportunities. Thank you!
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 15/01/2025
It's time to say bye to our amazing Carers in STEMM Research Assistant @astrokammy.bsky.social Kammy has played an instrumental role in supporting our survey dissemination (#KammyonTour) and data processing 🙌 The 3Lauras wish you all the best for your travel adventures 🌎
Image of Kammy advertising the Carers in STEMM survey at different institutions in the UK.
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Delighted to share that our co-founder @laurawolz.bsky.social has been appointed as the Interim Head of EDIA at the School of Natural Sciences at the University of Manchester from Jan 2025 🧪🔭🌱 Thank you for continuing to champion equality, diversity, inclusion, and accessibility!
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Carers In STEMM @carersinstemm.bsky.social · 08/01/2025
Happy New Year from the 3 Lauras and Kammy 🎉 We are excited to start 2025, first up on our to do list is to finish processing the results from our #carers in #STEMM survey 📊 Stay tuned for some early take home results in the next few weeks
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