Academic Careers, Relocation, and the Complex Realities of Divorce

Balancing childcare and a STEM career is challenging at the best of times; however, balancing these demands during the worst of times is rarely considered. In this chapter, we explore the complexities of divorce and relocation in the early stages of an academic career. The scenarios described in this chapter are compiled from multiple personal stories, and individual circumstances will always be highly variable, but they highlight some of the specific concerns that can arise when negotiating the complexities of separation, divorce, and career progression. Although this chapter highlights the challenges in cross-border divorces, inter-provincial and inter-state mobility can be equally challenging within the Canadian and US contexts, respectively.