Shared lab values
We believe that science is for everyone and we are committed to welcoming and supporting all members of our community regardless of age, sex, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, pregnancy, marital status, family structure, disability, ethnicity, race, religion, nationality, education, or socio-economic background. Our labs, classrooms, and field sites are safe spaces in which everyone will be welcomed in their pursuit of knowledge.
The opinions, thoughts, and concerns of every member of the lab are equally important and valued, particularly as we strive toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive academic community. We recognize that we each have different backgrounds, experiences, interests, and goals - we value this diversity and the many perspectives that it fosters. We support the UVA Department of Biology's Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and are committed to working together toward a more inclusive community.
We are also committed to supporting the physical and mental health and well-being of one another. Science can be difficult, mistakes will happen, and our personal and professional lives are constantly evolving. We can support one another by creating a safe, friendly, and respectful workplace, treating mistakes as learning opportunities, and seeking ways to balance the challenges of our personal and professional lives in ways that make science fun and rewarding.
The opinions, thoughts, and concerns of every member of the lab are equally important and valued, particularly as we strive toward a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive academic community. We recognize that we each have different backgrounds, experiences, interests, and goals - we value this diversity and the many perspectives that it fosters. We support the UVA Department of Biology's Statement on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion and are committed to working together toward a more inclusive community.
We are also committed to supporting the physical and mental health and well-being of one another. Science can be difficult, mistakes will happen, and our personal and professional lives are constantly evolving. We can support one another by creating a safe, friendly, and respectful workplace, treating mistakes as learning opportunities, and seeking ways to balance the challenges of our personal and professional lives in ways that make science fun and rewarding.
Our pledge as a lab community
We will actively foster an inclusive lab community in which all members feel safe, valued, and respected. We pledge to discuss ideas openly and non-combatively so that everyone is empowered to participate in scientific discourse.
If we feel that any lab policies, dynamics, or behaviors create an unwelcoming, unsafe, or inequitable environment, we will voice our concerns firmly and in a way that encourages lab members to correct problems and grow as individuals.
We understand that the impact of our words and actions matters more than our intentions. We pledge to take accountability for our words and actions regardless of our intentions, and to learn and grow from our mistakes.
We recognize that definitions of success, areas of interest, and ideal career paths differ for each lab member and also evolve over time. We pledge to support one another and help each lab member achieve their own vision of success.
We will actively participate in the Department of Biology's Action Items for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, encourage participation by one another, and discuss our thoughts and activities about these items as a lab group.
We will not tolerate ageism, sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia, xenophobia, or any other form of prejudice or discrimination. We pledge to combat these injustices wherever we encounter them in our community.
We recognize that science and academia have historically marginalized many people on the basis of their gender, race, religion, ethnicity, education, and socio-economic background, among other things. We pledge to support and participate in initiatives that seek to broaden participation by historically and currently underrepresented groups.
If we feel that any lab policies, dynamics, or behaviors create an unwelcoming, unsafe, or inequitable environment, we will voice our concerns firmly and in a way that encourages lab members to correct problems and grow as individuals.
We understand that the impact of our words and actions matters more than our intentions. We pledge to take accountability for our words and actions regardless of our intentions, and to learn and grow from our mistakes.
We recognize that definitions of success, areas of interest, and ideal career paths differ for each lab member and also evolve over time. We pledge to support one another and help each lab member achieve their own vision of success.
We will actively participate in the Department of Biology's Action Items for Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, encourage participation by one another, and discuss our thoughts and activities about these items as a lab group.
We will not tolerate ageism, sexism, racism, ableism, homophobia, xenophobia, or any other form of prejudice or discrimination. We pledge to combat these injustices wherever we encounter them in our community.
We recognize that science and academia have historically marginalized many people on the basis of their gender, race, religion, ethnicity, education, and socio-economic background, among other things. We pledge to support and participate in initiatives that seek to broaden participation by historically and currently underrepresented groups.
Land acknowledgements
We recognize that the land on which we work was stolen from Indigenous People, and that explicitly acknowledging this history as well as the ongoing legacy of colonialism is one small part of supporting Indigenous communities. Our University is located on the traditional territory of the Monocan Indian Nation, our field research in Florida takes place on the traditional territories of the Timucua and Seminole, and our field research in Arizona takes place on traditional territories of the Tohono O'odham, Sobaipuri, and Chiricahua Apache.
