The following statement of values and code of conduct has been collaboratively constructed by the Adaptive Capacity lab members. Although this was done to ensure a diverse input of experiences and considerations for lab members, undoubtedly, this guide will inadvertently fail to address all aspects of lab values and behaviours. To continually assess and update our practices of inclusivity, belonging, and standard operating procedures, this document will be updated on a regular basis, based on the social and scientific zeitgeist. Laboratory Guide last updated November 25, 2025.
Laboratory Values Statement
The Adaptive Capacity Laboratory runs on principles of academic integrity, inclusivity, and respect. The following is a set of guiding principles we strive towards and uphold.
Creating a Supportive Environment: Our lab creates a space where everyone feels welcome and included. Encouraging group activities as a lab where everyone is welcome, while still respecting people’s decision to not join in.
Collaboration: Our lab values working together and sharing ideas and knowledge. As a lab, we always make an effort to work with communities closely tied to our places of study, and study systems. Further, within the lab, we foster an environment for students to collaborate and aid in each other’s research.
Diversity: Our lab values different backgrounds, lived experiences and perspectives in their work. To that end, we highly encourage and foster inquiries from interested individuals of all backgrounds who share our similar value set.
Honesty and Integrity: Our lab values being honest and giving credit to others’ ideas / their contributions to our projects – including but not exclusive to authorship.
Respect: Our lab values treating everyone with respect and empathy. We also value having open discourse, where we may not hold the same beliefs and perspectives but we can talk about these differences openly without judgement. We are committed to respecting the animals and environments we work with by ensuring that our research is conducted responsibly and ethically. This means recognizing that sampling inevitably has an impact on animals, and taking responsibility to handle them with care and minimize stress or harm. It also means making sure that the knowledge gained from our work has value beyond our own degrees, so that the efforts and sacrifices of these animals contribute meaningfully to science and conservation. In addition, we respect the land we work on by following a leave no trace approach, ensuring that our presence does not negatively affect the ecosystems or communities we study in. We strive to gain knowledge in a good way.
Communication: Our lab values open communication and sharing information. Our lab values statement can help guide daily decision-making and define how lab members interact with each other. We aim to reach a large audience with our research, communicating our findings at conferences, in reports, or schools, and community events. Communicating science to a general population is important to us. Within the lab we try to answer emails as promptly as we can, while respecting and communicating our respective work schedules. When conflicts or disagreements occur in the lab, we want to address these issues with open and respectful communication before they fester. This is not an easy skill, but is an integral part of healthy communication within a large group of collaborators.
Awareness and Self Awareness: Our lab values having an understanding for the importance of mental health, work-life balance, and that we may hold implicit biases that we should check-in to ensure we are not creating an unhealthy space for other lab members.
Trust & Accountability: Our lab strives to hold each other accountable to, and respectfully adhere to, zero-tolerance policies. Our lab values being trustworthy and counting on each other to do what they say they will.
