Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Statement

As a group, we acknowledge that academic science suffers from a lack of diversity, equity, and inclusion. Science does not operate in a bubble, nor is it apolitical. Rather scientific issues are societal issues, and societal issues, such as racism, bias, and personal safety, are issues that the scientific community must address. This statement was crafted and approved by all lab members, and we will revisit it annually.

We welcome, support, and advocate for individuals from diverse backgrounds including but not limited to those from different socioeconomic backgrounds, races and ethnicities, gender identities and sexualities, citizenship statuses, religions, disabilities, familial obligations, and other personal identities. 

To do so, we specifically work toward: 

Strong relationships:

  • We will recruit new lab members based on holistic evaluation (not based on ‘pedigree’ or impact factor)

  • We will ensure that each junior trainee has a direct mentoring relationship with a senior lab member

  • We will share opportunities, such as conferences or papers, with trainees to enhance professional development

  • We engage in open conversations with people from all levels

  • We will conduct an annual review between trainee and mentor that includes both scientific goals and career goals

An inclusive and accessible environment:

  • We encourage and support non-academic and non-research-based career choices, for example, science policy, writing, industry, non-science careers, professorships at teaching-focused institutions, etc.

  • We discuss societal and ethical issues that affect our group members and others in the community 

  • We advocate for constructive changes on a larger level, such as at the institutional, local, and national levels

  • When safe, we point out problematic behavior 

  • We create avenues for the reporting of the problematic behavior of any member of our community

  • We are accountable to and for each other 

  • We are receptive to constructive criticism 

  • We engage in outreach endeavors to share our science and privilege with the community

  • We strive to use non-gendered language and respect each individual’s pronouns

  • We listen to and accommodate accessibility needs of trainees

  • We devote lab meetings and group discussions to reading works from excluded/marginalized scientists

  • We devote lab meetings and group discussions to discussing DEI issues at least once a year and as needed

A healthy environment: 

  • We will not equate self worth to scientific success

  • We will not equate devotion to hours spent in lab

  • We recognize and support one another through challenges to mental and physical health

  • We recognize each person’s right to personal privacy

A safe environment:

  • We recognize and follow CDC and NIH recommendations for COVID-19 safety, including masking and social distancing

  • We acknowledge that unexpected situations, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, are experienced by different people in different ways including emotional and physical. Not everyone will be affected the same and we are flexible in our expectations of others

As we strive to embody the values described above we acknowledge that we will all make mistakes. We will learn from our mistakes and take action to correct ourselves.



Land Use Acknowledgement

We acknowledge that indigenous peoples and nations, including Mohegan, Mashantucket Pequot, Eastern Pequot, Schaghticoke, Golden Hill Paugussett, Niantic, and the Quinnipiac and other Algonquian speaking peoples, have stewarded through generations the lands and waterways of what is now the state of Connecticut. We honor and respect the enduring relationship that exists between these peoples and nations and this land.


Note: This statement was adapted with permission from materials originally developed by the Rieder Lab at Emory University, see https://www.riederlab.org/dei-statement. We thank their lab for allowing us to build on their efforts!


Updated 2/2022