Dads, work and family life: a time for change?

Central to the image are a father and toddler son, with the small boy on his father's shoulders, as they walk through a dimly lit woodland.

Date: Saturday 5 December 2026, 10:00 – 13:15
Location: Park Plaza Hotel, City Square, Leeds, Boar Ln, City Square, Leeds LS1 5NS
Type: Ideas in Practice
Cost: FREE
Download: Outlook, iCal

Join us for a lively, family-friendly event about dads, work and family life – what’s working, what isn’t and what needs to change.

Register your place on Eventbrite

Fathers are more involved in their children’s lives than ever before, but many dads would like to be more involved than they currently are…

At our event, Dr Helen Norman will share findings from her research into the experiences of working fathers across the UK. She will reflect on the key barriers men face when trying to combine work and family life – from taking parental leave to asking for greater flexibility at work.

Co-hosted with Errol Murray, Charity Manager of Leeds Dads, we are bringing together experts in fatherhood, family support and poilcymaking. We encourage audience discussion to address the vital questions of home and work-life balance: What has worked? What hasn’t? What needs to change?

Parents, carers and children are all welcome. There will be a separate family activity space where dads and mums can spend time with their children, with craft activities provided by Pop Up and Play.

Please note: we can accommodate one child per adult and the child must be supervised by their parent or carer at all times.

Event Programme:

10:00	Arrival and refreshments
10:30	Welcome Dr Helen Norman, Associate Professor at Leeds University Business School Errol Murray, Charity Manager of Leeds Dads
10:40	Presentation: Why does fathers’ involvement in childcare matter and what is getting in the way? Dr Helen Norman, Leeds University Business School, shares findings from new research.
11:00	Panel discussion: What needs to change to help dads be the fathers they want to be? A conversation with dads, employers and policymakers. Chair: Dr Helen Norman, Leeds University Business School Ben Curran, Policy and Communications Manager, Fatherhood Institute Scott Leonard, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Dads Kids Club Dr Rebecca Jones, Research Consultant (formerly Head of Research and Storytelling, Working Families) Errol Murray, Charity Manager, Leeds Dads A local Member of Parliament: to be announced on the day.
11:45	Comfort break
12:00	Interactive discussion with the audience: Have your say! Share your experiences, ideas and what you think needs to change
12:45	Light refreshments and conversation
13:15	Event close

If you have any questions about this event, please contact Grace Carter at Leeds University Business School.