We are committed to fostering an open and inclusive environment built on trust in which to learn, share, work, and grow together. We celebrate the diversity we represent — recognizing that our different experiences, perspectives, talents, and knowledge, inspire each of us to grow as people, which in turn leads to better science and stronger community. We recognize the value of cultivating life outside the lab, creating space in which people can be their bona fide selves, balancing work with other responsibilities, and the importance of each lab member’s mental health. We commit to treating others with dignity and respect at all times, in person, online, in the lab, outside the lab, and in the far-flung places — the deserts and high alpine ridges — where we can be found learning about and reveling in the natural world. We value honesty, curiosity, communication, and making space for every voice.
We also acknowledge that our lab, and STEM in general, do not yet represent the diversity of society at large, nor do we fully understand the impacts of the history of our science on people and places. Thus we are committed to increasing representation of historically marginalized groups in science, making fieldwork safe and accessible for all, and educating ourselves about the history of our science and the history that has shaped the places where, and collections with which, we work. To this end, we are engaged as a lab in the following ongoing activities:
In our published works and presentations:
- Acknowledging the cultural history and significance of the collections we use and the places we work.
In our lab:
- Recruiting and mentoring lab members at all stages from diverse backgrounds.