3  Lab culture and philosophy

We approach our science with a common denominator of kindness. As part of our core lab culture, we:

Tip

We do not expect incoming members to memorize all of this, but we do expect members to be aware of the group’s values. Click any item above to jump to it, or just read on.

3.1 Ask for help, and share your learning

We are all learners, and most of our learning is done from each other — it’s inefficient to struggle through problems alone. Ask for and give assistance with appropriate cognizance of the value of your time and the time of the person you are asking; you are not the first or last person to encounter a problem.

Whether it’s about code, clarifying a travel policy, or an edit to the Lab website, make your learning experience accessible to everyone else too — that means sharing what you’re struggling with. When you identify a problem, add an issue to the lab chat issues repository and update it with solutions once resolved. Also consider writing a tutorial/blog post for our lab’s shared resources, or sharing with the larger community by leading a lab meeting or running a workshop (QuantFish, woRkshop group, SouthCoast useR group, etc).

3.2 Make yourself available

Be responsive to communication, and make time for things that address longer-term goals even when busy — don’t skip a seminar just because you have a big deadline looming (see Plan with intention). Being available does not mean being available 24/7; we build in regular opportunities to reorganize priorities, and we value collaboration enough that some in-person availability during normal business hours is expected (see attendance expectations).

3.3 Come prepared and be engaged

Value your time. Be present during lab and individual meetings, and come ready to work — contribute to planning and discussions with curiosity, without distractions. When it’s your turn to run a meeting, come with an agenda. Aim to view meetings as a contribution to your work and productivity, not a distraction from it.

3.4 Celebrate accomplishments (yours & others)

Things don’t always go as planned. Be supportive and proud of yourself and your peers when you accomplish things — we are not competing with each other, and someone else’s success does not mean your failure. Share your accomplishments, and highlight your peers’ too. We want to know when you present at events big and small, make progress on academic goals, do good things in your community, and even when you take cool bird pics.

3.5 Sustain a positive, safe learning environment

Everyone learns something for the first time at some point. Saying you don’t know something is OK, even if it makes you feel vulnerable — we strive to maintain a culture that encourages that vulnerability. No one should be disparaged for not knowing things, and just as importantly, no one should be disparaged for knowing things or wanting to learn. If you want to do something but can’t yet, ask for help.

3.6 Have an interdisciplinary (open) mindset

We work at the science-policy interface, which means our problems span multiple disciplines. Co-creation of knowledge requires approaches that avoid siloing. You’ll collaborate with people who have different expertise, values, and terminology — trust that expertise and actively seek feedback. When we communicate science, we acknowledge the people and perspectives that produced that knowledge.

3.7 Be mindful and aware of your own biases

We all have biases that can’t be removed, but we can work on being less biased and more aware of bias in ourselves and others. Periodically check in on your biases.

3.8 Plan with intention, and follow through

Be organized and adaptable — things don’t always go as planned, and that’s OK; planning helps you adapt when they don’t. Find a project-management approach that works for you (see How we work); staying organized and prioritizing tasks reduces stress and helps you progress toward your goals. Blocking calendar time, coworking, or having an accountability buddy are all good tools for staying focused.

3.9 Foster inclusivity within our group and greater community

Part of our lab culture is being good citizens of our community: taking on leadership roles within UNM EPS and the University, supporting others through their milestones, participating in UNM EPS events (e.g., the graduate research symposium), and being good neighbors where we work, live, and frequent. Work with Katie on your individual mentoring/development plan (see Onboarding) to identify where to focus your efforts.

3.10 Promote and sustain healthy work-life integration

Research is not the only important thing in our lives, and publishing is not the only way to provide science and support to our communities. We recognize the importance of other commitments in keeping us mentally and physically healthy. Don’t normalize overwork or “busy” as a marker of achievement — do normalize spending time on things that bring you joy outside of work, and sharing that with each other.

3.11 Practice radical candor

We care personally while also challenging directly. Be honest when communicating, accept critical (but kind) feedback, and give the same to others. If there are better ways we can work together, say so and establish boundaries — and when you receive kindly delivered feedback, genuinely consider and respond to it without taking it personally.

3.12 Acknowledge and give credit

We are often (always) building on work done by others — receiving help, using others’ words, code, and content. In the spirit of accessible, reproducible science, we acknowledge and credit those contributions in all forms of communication. This honors the collective responsibility that lets us share freely. Easy ways to do this: hyperlink to others’ work or social media, include collaborators’ names and photos in presentations, and thank people directly when they’re in the audience — it amplifies their voice as well as yours.