{c.a.l.m] lab Community Guidelines
These guidelines help us work well together by setting clear expectations for respect, communication, and care. They support trust and strong relationships within our lab and with the communities we work with, so that our work is meaningful and beneficial for everyone involved.
Communication as Respect
1-A. Responsiveness: All lab-related communications should be acknowledged or responded to within 48 hours (excluding weekends and pre-communicated absences) via email or in-person check-in. Disappearing, avoiding communication, or leaving messages unaddressed erodes trust and is considered unacceptable.
1-B. Transparency: If you are delayed, overwhelmed, or unavailable, communicate clearly. Accountability is not about perfection but about honesty.
1-C. Follow-through: Inconsistent participation, passive disengagement, or frequent last-minute cancellations without communication disrespect the time and energy of others.
2. Cultural Awareness
2-A. Cultural Humility: In our lab, we work with people from diverse backgrounds. It’s important not to assume that U.S. ways of thinking or doing things are better or more correct.
2-B. Cultural Sensitivity: When meeting with community partners or members from different backgrounds, your words, tone, clothing, and behaviors (such as chewing gum, using informal body language, or slang) may send unintended messages. Be mindful of how your presence might be received by those with different lived experiences, and adjust as needed to show care and respect.
3. Accountability
3-A. Feedback: Feedback may relate to communication and collaboration, as well as research-specific tasks such as data organization, academic writing, attention to detail, and meeting deadlines. If misunderstandings, confusion, or concerning behaviors arise, we will address them directly and respectfully. This includes being open to hearing feedback about your own behavior without becoming defensive.
3-B. Difficult Conversations: Avoiding conflict is not an act of care. Ignoring issues or sidestepping difficult conversations can cause more harm over time. Speaking up—with clarity and compassion—is a key part of how we care for one another and maintain a strong, accountable lab community.
4. Consequences and Commitment
4-A. If these guidelines are not followed—especially in cases of repeated communication issues, cultural insensitivity, or ethical concerns—we will first address the matter through a clear and structured conversation. Our goal is to support learning and growth, but if concerns continue without improvement, it may result in dismissal from the lab.
These guidelines were last updated on May 30, 2025.
Please click here to sign and acknowledge the {c.a.l.m} lab community guidelines.