As a lab, we pursue and support each lab member’s constant growth as a scientist. We believe in clearly and carefully communicating questions and building solutions to problems. We refuse to get comfortable but, rather, continually seek out new scientific tools and new opportunities to develop our skills and our ambition. We don’t aim for perfection because the nature of science is to accept that our worldview will change constantly with the acquisition of new knowledge and understanding. We embrace diversity, provide a safe place for testing and developing knowledge, and insist upon mutual respect among all lab members. Our goal is careful, precise science, with the broader aim of informing social and ecological problems.
we see all aspects of being scientists and whole humans as skills that we can develop and hone through life-long practice – in this lab we focus on process over product
we prioritize collaboration and directly address perceived inequity within our group, within our field, and within our society through our research, our teaching, our mentoring, and our speech and actions
we recognize that growth and learning require respectful critique – we provide timely, constructive, and action-based feedback to all lab members, and all lab members share their work so they have this opportunity to grow
we understand that synthesis and problem-solving is as important as critique – we offer solutions when we identify problems and we give positive feedback that is as specific and frequent as our criticisms
we believe that diverse backgrounds, experiences, and identities are vital to asking the right questions and solving problems – we are committed to recruiting team members from marginalized groups and working towards an academic community that reflects the U.S. population
we practice non-violent communication and address hurtful communication or actions directly but without blame, offering others the opportunity to grow but protecting ourselves and those around us from toxic interactions
we acknowledge that the greatest learning is achieved through failure, and forgive ourselves and others for blind spots and mistakes
we act as allies for each other, our peers, and our students by listening deeply, showing up, and standing with each other during challenges – we always have each other’s backs and give each other the benefit of the doubt
we work toward each lab member feeling connected within our community, having autonomy over their work, identifying their greater purpose, and gaining mastery in their chosen area of study
we believe in integrity and respect for ourselves and others, so communicate expectations and boundaries, are on time and prepared, and maintain clean shared work spaces
we protect space in our work lives for deep reading, writing, and thinking – curiosity and inspiration are unreliable but are fed by these fundamental practices of learning
we protect space in our lives away from work for connection with our loved ones, our wellness, and personal growth
we challenge enculturated morality, hierarchy, busy-ness, scarcity thinking, and distractedness – we acknowledge that live in a culture of comparison and but we do not feed this beast
HEALTH, WELLNESS, AND PRESENCE
We value showing up rested and ready to work - health is the foundation for doing good work, we value putting energy/time into fixing problems that might adversely affect us.
Many projects depend on members being ready to perform, failing to take care of yourself can impact team projects as well.
We dedicate lab time to learn/refine strategies that allow us to handle the stress that can accompany doing science.
We put value on process and work completion, if you are getting your work done while being a part of the lab community you aren’t going to be expected to put in time just to look good.
BRAVERY, VULNERABILITY, COURAGE, ANTI-SHAME
We believe in ourselves and each other, even when faced with challenges and adversity - We face these challenges with bravery and courage.
We support each other, we do not place blame or shame on ourselves or others
We show up as who we really are and make space for reciprocation from others
We stand up for what is right and what we believe in
We are honest about our limitations, to ourselves and others, and we do not let our limitations define us
COMPASSION, EMPATHY, INCLUSIVITY
We listen, ask questions for clarification, and hold space without judgement - We listen with openness, not to confirm our assumptions or plan what we will say next
We know our own boundaries, state our needs, and address concerns and conflicts with curiosity but directness.
We practice nonviolent communication by (1) stating a neutral observation/circumstance, (2) sharing our feeling, (3) stating our core human need, and (4) making a clear and specific request.
We educate ourselves about the challenges other people face and the ways that we can help
We acknowledge and are grateful for the privileges we have - we celebrate the opportunities we receive as a means of acknowledging the gift of our freedom of choice
We check for our own blind spots, biases, and assumptions and recognize that we are all continually growing and learning to be better scientists and humans
We create and practice policies and actions to support diversity, equity and inclusion
COLLABORATION AND COMMUNITY
We have clearly laid out authorship policies that encourage people working together across an entire project or just for key parts
Collaboration drives how work is carried out in our lab, from project ideas to field work to framing manuscripts.
We strive to create a support network within the lab – science is hard, but much harder if you go it alone.
CRITICAL THINKING, PROBLEM-SOLVING, CREATIVITY, META-THINKING
We strive to enhance our critical thinking skills, while remaining open-minded - we understand that cautionary and deductive reasoning are not the only ways of thinking
We ask important questions that drive and support our intellectual curiosity - academia is about learning how to think, not just solving one problem
We use our knowledge and thinking skills to support the greater good, solve problems, and create solutions
We consider emotional intelligence to be as important as intellectual intelligence
CONTRIBUTION, IMPACT, INFLUENCE, ADVOCACY
We acknowledge the privilege and freedom of being able to develop our intellectual strength and pursue our curiosity and we pay this forward through teaching, leadership, and advocacy
We acknowledge that our influence will be greater when our integrity and impact have been demonstrated - our striving in our science is integral to the impact we will have in the broader spheres of academics, conservation, and society.
We celebrate our success and reach higher to have greater positive impact in the world, but we also work as bulldozers, ratchets, and megaphones - we make way for others, lift them up, and give them a voice.
We recognize that we cannot solve every problem so we each choose an area to develop our expertise and influence and we support and amplify the efforts of others in their chosen advocacy