Did you know we have a carers fund to help you attend events or conferences?

We have recently established the IOP Carers Fund to support members to attend IOP meetings, events or conferences that they might not otherwise be able to attend because they have the responsibility of caring for someone. We’ve met up with Dr David Waters and his wife Dr. Véronique Boisvert who have recently received a grant through the fund.

IOP Blog: Tell us a little about yourself 
Dr. David Waters (Reader in Physics at UCL) and Dr. Véronique Boisvert (Senior Lecturer in Physics at RHUL). We are two particle physicists constantly juggling our busy professional lives with the demands of a young family, Viviane (5) and Charlie (2).

Which event did you attend thanks to the grant money?
We both attended the Institute of Physics High Energy Particle Physics Group annual meeting, which this year was held at Queen Mary University of London in early April. This is the yearly gathering of UK particle physicists, and is an important opportunity to catch up with colleagues from around the country. The event also included an STFC town-meeting where important issues regarding the funding of our research were discussed, and presentations from PhD students in our groups.

How did the fund help you?
The Carersfund helped us to arrange daycare for our youngest one, Charlie, who would would not normally be looked after the week leading up to Easter.

What would you tell other people about applying to the fund?
The Carersfund is a great scheme. The cost of childcare is a major issue, especially for working parents in the London and the Southeast. This scheme is particularly easy to apply for and was the decisive factor in both of us being able to attend this event.

How did you find the process of applying for and receiving the grant?
Especially straightforward and simple.