In this lab, we are committed to:
1. Inclusion. “Diversity without inclusion is an empty gesture” Asai (2019). Inclusion requires ongoing education, community building, effective mentorship, and action.
2. Ongoing Education. We propose to expose our own implicit biases and see alternative structures by a continued program of reading, watching, and listening, as well as participating in training programs.
3. Building Community. We will build a laboratory community that instills a sense of belonging. We will not only respect the views of others, but seek to understand them. We will offer macro- and micro-affirmations, and always try to be mindful of privilege gaps, implicit biases, ambiguous cues of racism, discrimination, prejudice, rejection, and hate. We will begin this by an on-boarding process. We will have monthly meetings to discuss issues and action. We will offer students pathways to connect to relevant support groups on campus and beyond.
4. Mentorship. Faculty and peer mentors should model inclusive behavior, and proactively show support for diverse and marginalized groups. Mentors should encourage transparency, active bystanding, foster communication, and offer direction to university support services. Mentors will be change agents who facilitate formation of allies.
5. Recruitment, Selection & Retention. We agree to personally recruit, and participate in campus and professional society recruitment efforts to increase diversity in our lab, department, and on campus. We will strive for comprehensive methods of selection addressing bias. We will never stop our efforts at inclusion once a student arrives.
6. Call to Action. Statements without strategies for action will not result in the cultural change so necessary. We will set “SMART” goals that are Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-bound.
