All lab participants, including visitors, collaborators, students, and faculty, are expected to agree with the following code of conduct to help ensure a safe and welcoming environment for everyone.
We are committed to fostering an open, inclusive, and harassment-free environment for all people, regardless of race, ethnicity, cultural practices, language/accent, socioeconomic status, residency status, level of experience, gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, impairment, dis/different ability, physical appearance, body size, or religion (or lack thereof). Any behavior that excludes, intimidates, or causes discomfort is not tolerated.
In order to foster a positive and professional learning environment, we encourage the following behaviors in our lab, courses, at scientific conferences, and online platforms:
- Use welcoming and inclusive language
- Be respectful of different viewpoints and experiences
- Gratefully accept constructive criticism
Examples of unacceptable behavior by lab members include:
- Written or verbal comments which have the effect of excluding people on the basis of membership of any specific group
- Nonconsensual or unwelcome physical contact
- Sustained disruption of talks or meetings
- Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, ableist, or exclusionary jokes or comments
- Publication of private communication without consent
If you believe someone is violating these commitments, please report it immediately to the head of the lab, Dr. Blair Downey. If you do not feel comfortable doing so, please report it immediately to another lab member serving as a trusted mentor or supervisor. You can also consult with the Office of Ombuds Services which is a confidential, independent, impartial, and informal problem-solving and conflict management resource for all members of the University of Tennessee campus communities. They invite students, staff, and faculty, with university-related issues and concerns, to visit their office. The Ombuds can assist by listening to concerns, clarifying issues, identifying policies and resources, and providing coaching and communication strategies.
This code of conduct was adapted from the B3 Lab, The Carpentries, and the DIB Lab.