Code of Conduct
Whereas a research group is comprised of individuals from a variety of lived experiences, each bringing unique talents and experiences to the lab, all efforts should be made to make the working environment a fertile ground for learning and research. First and foremost, all lab members are here to work and to contribute to the research goals of the group. All members have the right to experience and the responsibility to maintain a professional, safe, and open environment.
This code of conduct was first created by the group in 2018, and is periodically revised through ongoing discussions and periodic check-ins at group meetings
Professionalism
While it can make work more enjoyable to have some fun while doing it, care must be taken to remember that even if your title is still “student,” the environment is closer to one of “work” and the rules of professional conduct should apply.
Individuals should treat all coworkers with respect. This is a general comment that encompasses everything else below, but should be stated here, too: in everything we do, let us remember each of us are people.
We shall strive to maintain a culture in the lab were all identities are valued, and where all equity-seeking members (including but not limited to women, Indigenous Peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minority/racialized groups, and members of LGBTQ2S+ communities) are supported.
Care should be taken to make sure conversations about personal matters are appropriate. Even if you know that the person (people) you are talking to is okay with the conversation, if you are in a workspace, other people may be able to hear you and anything you say should not make them uncomfortable.
Any jokes should be in good humour, and should not target any individual, whether with malice or not. Jokes in the workplace should not veer into inappropriate topics, bullying, and/or harassment.
See definitions in Discrimination and Harassment Complaint Procedure
Appropriate dress and good hygiene should be practiced.
All individuals have a right to personal privacy. How much and which details of one’s personal life should be shared is up to that individual, and care should be taken not to “overshare” without first reading appropriate interest from others, including when others are in the space.
All individuals are responsible for practicing good communications. This includes letting others know about work activities that may affect their work, when you will be present and absent, and sharing information with the whole group. This includes speaking in the common language of the lab (ie, English) whenever others are in the room.
Safety
All individuals have a right to work in an environment that is as safe as possible, both to physical and emotional health.
All individuals have the right to a workplace free of harassment, bullying, and any other demeaning, threatening, or intimidating behaviours. This includes targeting both of individuals in the lab, and groups in general, whether or not they are represented by anyone in the lab.
Lab safety shall be a priority, and all individuals are responsible for making the environment safe and healthy for all. This involves following all standard operating procedures, and good communication between members regarding lab activities.
Openness
As an academic, research environment, the lab should be a place of learning and exploration, and open to all who want to participate.
Collaboration is a priority. All efforts should be made to include all interested parties in any research or other activities. Issues such as authorship on papers should be discussed early and freely.
Questioning should be welcomed and encouraged. All members should feel free to ask and answer any questions. All members should strive to answer questions as they can without condescension, or to defer questions to others or to a later time if appropriate (eg, “can we schedule a time to talk on Tuesday at 10am?”).
If you are have any questions or concerns about these issues, or anything else, please feel free to talk with Lindsay, in person or by email/message. If you’re not comfortable with talking to her about these issues, please approach someone else at the University: the graduate assistant (Kailey Robertson, kaileyr@ualberta.ca), graduate chair (Craig Heinke, heinke@ualberta.ca), or the Graduate Physics Students Association (physgpsa@ualberta.ca)
In addition, please be aware of other Student Services, such as the Student Ombuds Service, and Counselling and Clinical Services.
Lab policies
Working hours
Generally, graduate students are work a minimum of 40 hours per week on academic activities, most of which time should include presence at the university in the office and lab. This includes research time in the lab, course attendance, and TA duties.
Vacation
The Department of Physics stipulates that graduate students are entitled to 3 weeks vacation each year, in addition to statutory holidays. Generally, I interpret these three weeks to include times the university is closed (eg, the week between Christmas and New Year’s), but does not include conference travel. For those who wish to take longer vacations, time can be “banked” over the years to make accommodation for longer international trips, for example.
Vacation times should be entered into the lab calendar, and longer vacations (> 1 week) should be discussed with Dr. LeBlanc before booking.
Lab tidiness
The lab is a shared space and should be kept in good working order. In general, the “campsite” rule should be adhered to: you should leave a space tidier than how you found it. While leaving tools/parts/etc out while working on projects is acceptable, every effort should be made to put things back in their proper places so that others can find them. Food should in general be kept out of the lab, and beverages should be kept near the desk areas, and away from any electronic equipment.
Data recording and lab notebooks
Data recorded from the lab should be saved in a backed-up location on the Ultracold YEG Google Drive, or through the Team Drive. This should be automated through data collection software when possible.
Keeping good lab notebooks is also a requirement. Google Docs and Notion are, in general, the medium of choice in this lab. You should record day-to-day activities in the team notebook appropriate to your project, and add pictures, spreadsheets, sketches, etc, as appropriate. Links to online data folders should be included.
Personal notebooks may be kept in whatever format you prefer -- paper, tablet, or Google Doc for instance.