Changing Academic Life
Changing Academic Life
Geraldine Fitzpatrick
Infertility, Career Choices, and Compassion (CAL 134, S7E7)
38 minutes Posted Dec 3, 2025 at 5:02 pm.
Introduction: A Personal Journey01:05 The Inspiration Behind This Episode03:58 Opening Up About Women's Health Issues07:23 The Struggles of Infertility12:15 Navigating the Moral Dilemmas14:51 Navigating Our Journey17:43 Navigating Career and Personal Life22:44 Moving On and Finding New Paths26:48 Things Coming Together in the Move to London30:13 Reflecting on an Academic Career Without Children33:53 Final ReflectionsRelated LinkCHI Stories @CHI2017: Midwifery, Babies, HCI: “Doktormutter”hood and Sustainable Academic Life
CAL134 Infertility, Career Choices, and Compassion
Introduction: A Personal Journey
The Inspiration Behind This Episode
Opening Up About Women's Health Issues
The Struggles of Infertility
Navigating the Moral Dilemmas
Navigating Our Journey
Navigating Career and Personal Life
Moving On and Finding New Paths
Things Coming Together in the Move to London
Reflecting on an Academic Career Without Children
Final Reflections
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38:48
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Show notes
In this very personal solo episode, I share my journey through infertility and the impact it had on my academic and personal life. Inspired by Susan Dray's story, I decided to share our challenges of trying to start a family while managing a career in academia. I discusses the physical and emotional toll of infertility treatments, the loneliness of not sharing my struggles with colleagues, and the moral dilemmas we faced. Mine is just one story, and we can be sure that many of the people we work with are dealing with their own challenges or carrying their own sadnesses so this is a call for more empathy, kindness, and support in academic environments, emphasizing the importance of recognizing the human side of our lives. I conclude with a message of support for those facing similar challenges and a reflection on how my career path, though unintended, brought its own form of fulfillment.00:29 Introduction: A Personal Journey01:05 The Inspiration Behind This Episode03:58 Opening Up About Women's Health Issues07:23 The Struggles of Infertility12:15 Navigating the Moral Dilemmas14:51 Navigating Our Journey17:43 Navigating Career and Personal Life22:44 Moving On and Finding New Paths26:48 Things Coming Together in the Move to London30:13 Reflecting on an Academic Career Without Children33:53 Final ReflectionsRelated LinkCHI Stories @CHI2017: Midwifery, Babies, HCI: “Doktormutter”hood and Sustainable Academic Life