LAB CODE OF CONDUCT
The research environment should promote critical thinking, productivity, interpersonal exchange, safety, and ethical behavior. In this space, we implement practices of etiquette to help maintain a healthy climate for all members. To create a welcoming, open, respectful, and cordial research environment conducive to the success and well-being of all members, our lab abides by the following code of conduct.
Professionalism
Strive to be punctual and prepared for meetings.
2. Respect the personal and professional space and time of your colleagues.
3. Determine the most effective means of communication (email, text, phone, face to face, group interface) for interacting with lab members. If unsure, ask.
4. Accepting responsibility for your mistakes, and work to prevent their reoccurrence in the future.
5. Directly address issues that arise as soon as possible. If you feel that the issue is unresolved, contact the PI, a trusted faculty member, or a human resources representative.
6. Engage your colleagues in constructive scientific discussion.
a. Be open to receiving constructive feedback and constructively critiquing others in a manner that will sharpen your colleagues as researchers.
b. Be sure to deliver supportive feedback in a positive (not spiteful, malicious, or otherwise negative) manner that helps the recipient achieve a positive outcome.
c. Build one another up, and do not tear one another down.
7. Act in a manner to create a nurturing lab environment for all.
a. Build interpersonal relationships that foster cohesion and promote positive interactions among all lab members.
b. Treat colleagues in a considerate, respectively, and non-offensive manner – how they would like to be treated.
c. Use welcoming and inclusive language and avoid exclusionary comments and jokes or other forms of negative language. Be considerate of what impact your word choice may have on others.
d. Do not gossip about your lab colleagues or subject them to unwanted teasing or disturbing/offensive remarks. These actions, either direct or indirect, that distress a victim who has become aware of them, can constitute a form of verbal harassment and bullying.
e. Express gratitude regularly.
Safety
1. Always wear proper laboratory attire (closed shoes, long pants, shirt with sleeves, hair tied back, etc.).
2. Always wear proper personal protective equipment (PPE).
3. Use gloves appropriately.
a. Select glove type and material based on the type of exposure and nature of the hazard encountered during each experiment.
b. Do not touch your unprotected skin (including face) or other personal items (e.g., backpack, cell phone, etc.) with your gloves on.
c. Remove gloves and wash hands with soap prior to leaving lab area.
4. Label all reagents clearly and appropriately.
a. Include name of reagent, list of components, corresponding concentration, date of preparation, and your initials.
5. Know the location of safety equipment and plans in the lab and surrounding areas.
a. Know where to find the first aid kit, eye-wash station, chemical spill kit, face mask/shields, fire extinguisher, emergency exit, etc.
b. Know location of all waste containers.
Shared Lab Spaces
1. Always ask to use labeled supplies that belong to others.
2. Clean up after yourself. Leave the work area clear, organized, and clutter-free.
a. Do not leave empty containers or trash laying around.
b. Do not leave dirty common materials in the sink, on the bench, or elsewhere.
3. If you find common supplies low or equipment broken, notify lab manager or PI. Similarly, if you use up a common supply, replenish the stock.
4. Be careful to not disturb the experiments of others. If you are running a sensitive experiment, please include a note near your set-up to alert other lab members.