Well-Being

Key Findings

How are scientists faring?

We measured the overall well-being of scientists using a reduced version of the Flourishing Index developed by the Harvard Human Flourishing Program. The scale measures life-satisfaction, physical health, mental health, meaning and purpose, character and virtue, close social relationships, and financial security. We also measured scientists’ job satisfaction and burnout at work.

On average, scientists reported moderately high levels of well-being and job satisfaction

Scientists in India and the UK reported significantly lower levels of well-being than their counterparts in Italy and the US
Differences between countries may reflect the relative impact of the pandemic on scientists during the survey period (May – Sept 2021)
The majority of scientists (72%) reported being mostly or completely satisfied with their jobs

Our survey finds significant gender differences in job satisfaction, burnout, workplace mistreatment, and mental health among scientists.

Women scientists are significantly more likely than men to report that their workplaces have an unhealthy or toxic culture.
Women scientists also significantly more likely than men to experience emotional exhaustion at work
Women scientists report signficantly lower levels of job satisfaction than male scientists
Compared to male scientists, female scientists are significantly more likely to experience harassment, public humiliation or shaming, bullying, discrimination, and malicious gossip or rumors at work
Women scientists report higher levels of psychological distress and lower levels of overall flourishing than male scientists

Notes to Consider

The COVID-19 pandemic has adversely affected scientists both personally and professionally

– 62% of scientists report that the pandemic has worsened their mental health
– 51% of scientists have seen an increase in mental health challenges among colleagues
– 43% of scientists report that the pandemic has worsened their physical health
– 43% of scientists say that their work feels more stressful than before

Implications from the Findings

Job Satisfaction, mental health, well-being

Well-Being in Science

Scientific and academic institutions must take steps to address the continued mental health toll of the pandemic. These effects are likely more pronounced in less well-resourced institutions and among minorities in the scientific community. Our findings also suggest the urgency to address mental health concerns among postgraduate students and early-career scientists.

Gender Inequality in Science

While scientific institutions around the world have made strides in addressing gender inequality over the years, the present study’s findings make it clear that more work remains to be done. This is a pressing task since the disadvantages suffered by women scientists include a mental health toll that diminishes the vitality of the scientific enterprise.