ELAF Code of Conduct

Science is more than an individual activity – it is the outcome of a community of scientists, working together to make our work more innovative and robust. Deliberate and intentional effort is necessary to cultivate the talents of multifaceted individuals. This code of conduct lays out our beliefs and activities that promote a flourishing and inclusive academic environment.

Things that we believe:

By welcoming diverse backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives, we are better equipped to challenge dominant ideas and solve complex problems in science. Embracing our differences makes us better students, teachers, and scholars. 

  • A culture of inclusion is necessary to foster positive collaboration and create a space where people are comfortable bringing their authentic selves into their work.
  • Privilege exists and unfortunately plays an outsized role in shaping opportunities and careers. However, we believe that the opportunity to pursue a career in science should be based on individual potential, and motivation.
  • We strive for equity, and realize that it does not always stem from equality.
  • The rights of native peoples should be reaffirmed and tribal representation should be embraced within the scientific community. 
  • Effective research is dynamic; it challenges ideas, and embraces constructive criticism.  
  • A supportive, cooperative community leads to better science than a competitive, individualistic community. 
  • Professional development is a life-long activity – everyone has room to learn.

Things that we do:

We value all aspects of an individual’s identity and how it shapes their journey, experience, and challenges. This includes people of every race, age, color, ethnicity, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, religion, national origin, migratory status, ability, political affiliation, veteran status, socioeconomic background, and any other personal identity not included in this list. 

Professionalism and Teamwork

  • Treat each other with respect and kindness. We are polite and friendly. Nobody should feel invisible.
  • Support each other’s professional development by making ourselves available to review each other’s work, serve as a sounding board for new ideas, and help overcome technical challenges.
  • Share and celebrate our lab member’s successes and acknowledge the lab’s contributions to individual accomplishments.
  • Approach our lab meetings as an opportunity for community building. 
  • Recognize and advocate for the dissolution of power dynamics.

Fostering Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:

  • Stand up for those being excluded, put down, or marginalized, unconsciously or consciously, call out injustices, and work towards equitable resolutions.
  • Regularly develop, revise, and remind ourselves of our dialogue agreements, which promote more inclusive and equitable interactions with each other.
  • Recognize feedback and “call out” moments as opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Foster contributions of unique wisdom, perspectives and experiences, and seek out opportunities to learn from perspectives that are different from our own.
  • In the spirit of inclusion, we share our victories of the week, forward opportunities to each other, connect each other to our networks, get together for social activities a few times throughout the year, and help each other out if someone is struggling
  • Identify and eliminate microaggressions and other exclusionary practices in our field.
  • Carry out informed discussions about discrimination and other problematic norms in science and normalize reporting discrimination, in all its forms.
  • Seek out guidance about how our individual actions in scholarship, publishing, teaching, collaborating, grant writing, and inviting seminar speakers either perpetuates or positively changes the status quo in terms of the diversity of our field 
  • Recognize that conscious and subconscious biases can adversely affect mentor-mentee relationships,build a broad network of professionals, and seek out training in culturally aware mentoring practices.
  • We encourage and support the efforts of our lab members to be active in DEI work.

Academic Integrity

  • We seek out dissenting opinions and counter ideas, especially when there seems to be a unanimous viewpoint. We think about the opposing perspectives critically.
  • We continually seek to advance our own abilities while supporting the efforts of others to do the same.

Group members agree to adhere to this code of conduct.  Members will make every attempt to settle disputes (including alleged violations of this code) internally and collegially. In the event that a dispute cannot be resolved, group members agree to seek guidance from leadership outside of our lab (e.g., the Graduate Student Advisor, Associate Director, or Director), or to use the University Ombud Office to seek resolution.