EDI in Rourke Lab
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion in Rourke Lab
As members of the Rourke Lab, we commit to fostering a culture of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI).
To us, this means creating a create a fun, dynamic, and safe workplace environment where all members feel valued, respected, supported, and given a safe space to voice their opinions, work, conduct research, and grow as scientists, and people. As such, racism, sexism, discrimination, and prejudice of any form have no place in our lab.
Our research group welcomes people regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual orientation, and physical ability, and we are committed to amplifying the voices of underrepresented groups in STEM. Underrepresented groups include, but are not limited to, women, Indigenous peoples, members of visible minorities, persons with disabilities, and individuals from LGBTQ2+ communities. We advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusion within our lab, department, the University, and academia as a whole, and we are actively working to improve our knowledge about EDI and accountability practices.
Rourke Lab's commitment to EDI:
Actively engaging in EDI-related discourse and training opportunities provided by the University;
Using language that is inclusive and respectful when speaking with other lab members and in academic settings;
Remaining open-minded and judgement-free when listening to lab member’s perspectives, questions, and comments;
Committing to self-learning regarding EDI, and how to be an ally to underrepresented groups in academia. As such, once per academic term Rourke lab group meetings will include an educational component on EDI issues;
Committing to active self-reflection and group accountability as an ongoing process;
Diversifying references in our own written work;
Re-evaluating this document on an annual basis; and
Including land acknowledgements in oral presentations, written materials, and on the Rourke lab website: We respectfully acknowledge that the Rourke lab, and the experiences within it, take place on the unceded traditional lands of the Mi’kmaq Peoples.
EDI Resources:
Mount Allison Workplace Harassment Policy: https://bit.ly/3Ex0Hea
Mount Allison Student Code of Conduct: https://bit.ly/3IMlo8v
Tri-Agency Statement on Equity, Diversity and Inclusion: https://bit.ly/3kojXDZ
Dissecting the science of equity, diversity and inclusion in STEM: https://bit.ly/3INyous
This is a dynamic process, and we are continuously striving to improve our efforts.
This is a working document. Last updated on September 12, 2023.