“2025 Expert Consultation (Consulting) Case Sharing Session for Promoting Work–Life Balance in the Science and Technology Sector” Held
Identifying practical tasks for institutions and companies to promote a work–life balance research culture in the science and technology community
Ten institutions and companies participated this year, with four institutions — including Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power and the Korea Institute of Materials Science — presenting their cases at the session.
The Korea Foundation for Women in Science, Engineering, and Technology (WISET) (Chairperson: Moon Ae-ri) announced on the 17th that it held the “2025 Case Sharing Session on Consulting for Promoting Work–Life Balance in the Science and Technology Sector” on October 16 at the Didimdol Plaza of the Korea Research Institute of Chemical Technology.
The event also featured the Policy Forum of the Council of Gender Equality Officers from Government-Funded Research Institutes, and was attended by about 70 participants, including WISET Chairperson Moon Ae-ri, KRICT Vice President Choi Young-min, and representatives from related organizations.
Participants included officials from institutions that took part in this year’s consulting program, gender equality officers from 23 research institutes, and government representatives.
To promote a work–life balance culture in the science and technology field, WISET has been providing institution-tailored professional consulting. This program focuses on helping research organizations establish sustainable work–life balance practices and improving HR systems and organizational cultures tailored to the needs of the science and technology community.
This year, WISET selected 10 institutions and companies to receive consulting support. During the case sharing session, four institutions — Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power Co., Korea Institute of Materials Science, National Institute of Animal Science, and Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control — shared their identified practical initiatives.
Key initiatives included:
Designing a work–life balance brand and index (Korea Institute of Materials Science)
Creating a return-to-work program for employees after parental leave (National Institute of Animal Science)
Developing strategies for spreading a positive organizational culture of work–life balance (Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power)
Enhancing the effectiveness of work–life balance policies for researchers with young children (Korea Institute of Industrial Technology)
Establishing competency enhancement strategies for female scientists and engineers by position level (Korea Institute of Nuclear Nonproliferation and Control)
Going forward, WISET plans to continue supporting customized consulting for research institutions to help build an inclusive research culture in the science and technology sector.
