EDI

In the Haney Lab, we value a diverse, equitable and inclusive environment where everyone has the support they need to reach their self-identified career goals.

Academia has historically excluded individuals from many groups, including those already marginalized by society. At the faculty level, the biological sciences still suffers from a lack of diversity resulting from systemic inequities in both society and academia. We are committed to making science inclusive and equitable for individuals from diverse backgrounds.

We are committed to the following:

Inclusion

  • Our lab is an environment where everyone’s identity is welcome and valued.
  • We will ensure everyone has the opportunities to contribute and that all questions and ideas are treated with respect and consideration.
  • Bullying, harassment, discriminatory language or behavior, or any acts that undermine a sense of belonging and inclusion will not be tolerated. Support for students who experience discrimination is available at the UBC equity office: https://equity.ubc.ca/
  • We recognize that we all come from different personal and professional backgrounds, with different perspectives and privileges.
  • We will use inclusive language (neutral pronouns for groups, be mindful of personal pronouns, no ableist language).

Equity

  • All members of the lab have equal access to lab resources (equipment, PI time, conference attendance and other career-promoting opportunities)
  • All trainees will be supported in applying for all scholarships, awards, and jobs they are eligible for
  • We will acknowledge and give appropriate credit to contributions.

Diversity

  • We will diversify our lists of invited speakers and references in our scientific work, teaching, and science communication.
  • In recruitment into the lab, we will prioritize diversity. This includes gender, ethnicity, disability status, sexual orientation, nationality, and scientific background.

Well being

  • We will strive to model and promote healthy work life balance. We will encourage members of our lab to prioritize their physical and mental well being.
  • Regular work hours and vacation time are prioritized. Trainees may always take time off to attend to physical and mental well-being needs.

Learn

  • We will be open to recognizing and correcting our mistakes and biases through education.
  • We will listen to, amplify the voices of, and speak up for marginalized groups at all levels – within our lab, field, department, and university community.
  • We will host lab meetings focused on reading about and discussing an equity, diversity, and inclusion issue or highlighting science from colleagues in marginalized groups.
  • Read and learn independently. We are committed to using publicly available resources to learn about the experiences and challenges of those whose identities are different from ours.

Support

  • Direct people to additional support and resources where needed.
  • Engage in outreach activities to promote microbiology and plant biology to a broader section of society.

Finally, we will regularly re-assess these commitments to improve EDI and promote discussions about EDI in the workplace. With that in mind, we will hold each other accountable for our actions and behaviours. We will receive feedback with an open mind with the aim of improving our language and actions in the future.

Resources about EDI, and health and wellness for students, faculty and staff: https://microbiology.ubc.ca/edi/resources

Information about equity and inclusion can be found through the UBC equity office: https://equity.ubc.ca/

*Diversity and Inclusion Lab Posters

Feel free to download, display, and share these “In this lab…” posters but before you do, please commit to the following pledge (from https://sammykatta.com/diversity)

Thank you for showing your support for racial justice, diversity, and inclusion in your lab! Rather than charging for these posters, I am asking you to make a commitment to continuous allyship for marginalized and underrepresented communities if you print and display this poster in your lab.

This means, at a minimum:

  • Educating yourself about racial justice and systemic discrimination against marginalized communities.
  • Listening to and uplifting voices from these communities even when they challenge your assumptions and make you uncomfortable.
  • Speaking out and pushing for change when you see microaggressions or institutional policies that disadvantage these communities, both within your lab and within the larger campus community (from staff and low-wage workers to students and faculty).
  • Making space and time for trainees to heal, take care of their communities, or fight for justice, and continuing to provide financial, career, and other support while they do so (if you think this is not possible at your institution, see the point above).
  • Donating, when you have the means, to organizations that promote the success and well-being of marginalized communities in STEM or in the larger community. Examples include (but are not limited to):
    1. Fellowship for the Future by 500 Women Scientists
    2. Black Girls Code
    3. SACNAS

If you share this poster with others, I ask that you share this link, rather than sharing the files or directly linking the poster, to ensure that anyone who displays this poster in their lab understands what it really means. If you’ve made a modified version for your model organism, please share this pledge along with your version of the poster.

If you commit to these actions, click the posters to download them.