Values

Values Statement

We believe that science has the power to enrich our lives. We also believe that diversity promotes a deeper understanding of science and more innovative solutions by bringing together different perspectives and ways of knowing. Therefore, our central goals are to: (1) promote diversity, equity, and inclusion in science, (2) conduct rigorous and ethical scientific research, (3) promote scientific literacy and awareness of global change issues, (4) create a safe, respectful, and intellectually-stimulating learning environment, and (5) support all lab members on their individual journeys as scientists and life-long learners.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion

We recognize that the diversity of our lived experiences, cultural backgrounds, beliefs, and ways of thinking enrich our society and drive scientific innovation. Therefore, we aim to foster a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive scientific community where all members can thrive. To help achieve this goal, we commit to:

INSPIRE LEARNING by including and collaborating with people whose experiences and perspectives differ from our own.

PROMOTE CHANGE by educating ourselves about practices that have historically excluded people from science and critically examining our own practices.

EMPOWER OTHERS to engage in science by partnering with organizations that lift up other voices within the scientific community and beyond.

Scientific and community partners in this work include:

Scientific Ethics

We conduct rigorous and ethical research in which we define research questions motivated by scientific theory and observations. We apply the scientific method to design experiments that test specific hypotheses and generate new insights into biological problems. We do not fabricate or alter our data; rather, all data are made publicly available on data repositories to promote scientific transparency. We maintain detailed records of our work, follow established practices in data management, discuss authorship on manuscripts, and clearly define expectations for collaborative work. We recognize that conducting rigorous and ethical science depends on open, honest, and respectful communication where everyone’s contributions to the work is valued and acknowledged.

Lab and Field Safety

We aim to create a safe and inclusive research environment by taking several key actions. Most importantly, we make safety and inclusivity a focal aspect of our lab and field training and we work collaboratively with lab personnel to develop a ‘Code of Conduct’ and ‘Lab Safety Plan.’ The ‘Code of Conduct’ emphasizes our shared value that inclusion is a component of safety and that non-inclusive behavior causes harm similarly to physical hazards. The ‘Code of Conduct’ is a forward-looking expression of lab expectations that helps team members articulate when a behavior or action is alienating or harmful. The ‘Lab Safety Plan’ identifies and discusses general hazards associated with lab or fieldwork, mitigation strategies, general team safety and emergency protocols, and options for reporting and resolving incidents if they occur. The ‘Code of Conduct’ and ‘Lab Safety Plan’ exist as living documents that are discussed and revised annually with input from the team.