Lab Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
\nStatement<\/b><\/p>\n
Last updated: February 2021<\/p>\n
\u2756 Purpose and Statement of Principles <\/b><\/p>\n
As members of the
\nMerrill and Boyce lab groups, we commit to fostering a culture of Equity,
\nDiversity and Inclusion (EDI). To us, this means:<\/p>\n\u27a2 Creating a workplace environment where all members feel valued,
\nrespected, supported, and given space to voice their opinions.<\/p>\n\u27a2 Actively engaging in EDI related discourse and training.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
In this document,
\nwe strive to develop an ethic that will not only be reflected in our attitudes
\nand behaviours as members of the academic community at the University of
\nAlberta, but be one that we will carry with us in our future private and
\nprofessional lives. This statement was
\nco-authored by members of the Merrill and Boyce labs and will act as a living
\ndocument to keep us proactive and accountable.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\u2756 Justification for our responsibility to EDI <\/b><\/p>\n
We are making
\nefforts to respond to the systemic biases and barriers that have affected the
\nfull participation of historically underrepresented groups in STEM,
\nparticularly wildlife ecology. This document reflects our commitment to
\nrecruiting, including, and supporting underrepresented groups, because we
\nbelieve including people of different experiences, cultures, and knowledge results
\nin a more vibrant and robust research community. Many of us are fortunate
\nenough not to feel the full effects and extent of discrimination, and
\ntherefore, are in a position to take action against it, helping to step up for
\nthe people who have previously or currently experience discrimination in STEM.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n\u2756 Benefits of a strong EDI environment<\/b><\/p>\n
\u27a2 Incorporating diversity in research has benefits for everyone.
\nDiversity can increase specialization, bolster problem solving, and check
\nbiases through the incorporation of different backgrounds, experience, and
\nstrengths. Diversity can improve understudied areas of research (e.g. Haines et al. 2020<\/a>), and a number of studies
\nsuggest that diverse research groups publish more papers and have a higher
\nnumber of citations per paper (Freeman & Huang 2014<\/a>).<\/p>\n\u27a2 A strong EDI focused environment allows all lab members to feel
\nrespected, valued, and supported, and therefore comfortable sharing their
\nperspectives and ideas.\u00a0 A wider variety of perspectives and ideas will result
\nin more well-rounded and stronger research projects, and potentially novel
\nsolutions to problems.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\u2756 Lab Expectations and Behaviours regarding EDI<\/b><\/p>\n
\u27a2 Use language that is inclusive and respectful when speaking with other
\nlab members and in academic settings.<\/p>\n\u27a2 Commit to self-learning in regards to EDI in academia, inclusive
\nlanguage, and how to be an ally to underrepresented groups in STEM.<\/p>\n\u27a2 Remain open-minded and judgement-free when listening to lab member\u2019s
\nperspectives, questions, and comments.<\/p>\n\u27a2 Be aware of and acknowledge your own personal privilege and the effects
\nit has in social dynamics within the academic community, and in particular in
\nthe Merrill-Boyce lab community in the Department of Biological Sciences.<\/p>\n\u27a2 Ensure all lab members are given \u2018space\u2019 to be heard and feel
\ncomfortable sharing their perspectives.<\/p>\n\u27a2 Commit to active self-reflection and group accountability as an ongoing
\nprocess.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\u2756 Commitments to EDI <\/b><\/p>\n
\u27a2 Self education (see resources)<\/p>\n
\u27a2 Participate in regularly scheduled formal and
\ninformal EDI-related lab discussions<\/p>\n\u27a2 Update EDI statement (annually)<\/p>\n
\u27a2 Incorporate EDI into the hiring process for
\ntechnicians, post-docs, graduate students, and undergraduate student
\nsupervision<\/p>\n\u27a2 Participate in EDI mentorship opportunities<\/p>\n
\u27a2 Diversify references in our own written work<\/p>\n
\u27a2 Include land acknowledgements in oral presentations,
\nwritten communication materials, and on the Boyce and Merrill lab websites<\/p>\n\u27a2 Attend conferences, seminars and workshops
\ndedicated to EDI training and education that highlight researchers in academia
\nfrom equity-seeking groups.<\/p>\n\u27a2 Share opportunities found with other lab members.
\nSee examples below.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n\u2756 Resources:<\/b><\/p>\n
\u27a2 Ally workshop (15min video)<\/a><\/p>\n
\u27a2 Beyond Inclusion- Equality in Public Engagement<\/a><\/p>\n
\u27a2 Canadian Centre for Diversity and Inclusion Teachers
\nToolkit<\/a><\/p>\n\u27a2 Canadian University EDI Archive<\/a><\/p>\n
\u27a2 Implicit Bias Test<\/a><\/p>\n
\u27a2 Indigenous Canada course<\/a><\/p>\n
\u27a2 Nature article: These labs are remarkably diverse: here\u2019s
\nwhy they\u2019re winning at science<\/a><\/p>\n\u27a2 Scientific QUEERies<\/a><\/p>\n
\u27a2 Simon Fraser University Community EDI Guidelines<\/a><\/p>\n
\u27a2 Unconscious Bias Workshop (1hr video)<\/a><\/p>\n
\u27a2 University of Alberta- Biology Graduate Students\u2019
\nAssociation EDI Resources<\/a><\/p>\n\u27a2 University of Alberta Land Acknowledgement<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Lab Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Statement Last updated: February 2021 \u2756 Purpose and Statement of Principles As members of the Merrill and Boyce lab groups, we commit to fostering a culture of Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI). To us, this…
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