Lab Code of Conduct

All members must conform to the Caves Lab Code of Conduct:

  • Harrassment; sexual language and imagery; and sexist, racist, and exclusionary jokes are never appropriate.
    • Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of discussions, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
    • Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
  • All communication, whether online or in person, should be appropriate for a professional audience. Be considerate of people from different cultural backgrounds.
  • Contribute to discussions in meetings with a constructive, positive approach.
  • Be mindful of talking over others when discussing in groups and be willing to hear out the ideas of others.
  • Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other group members whether directly to them or to others.
  • Be honest in all of your scientific endeavors. Data manipulation or fabrication will not be tolerated.
  • Make your voice heard and ask questions. We are all here to learn together. If you are unhappy or you feel distressed, set an appointment to speak with me. If you are unsure what to do with your time, what to do next, or how to do something, ask.
  • Give credit where credit is due. If you are given help, acknowledge it. Do not misrepresent your effort or the efforts of others.
  • Own up to your mistakes. I understand that this takes courage, but we ALL make mistakes (and I am happy to share my own stories with you!). Try to be brave and let me know if you inadvertently did something wrong. You never have to fear retaliation, judgement, or retribution. On the contrary, you will only gain respect by stepping up and accepting responsibility.
  • Do science in a way that is safe, reproducible, and ethical. Follow the rules set down in the lab, and adhere to lab conventions regarding data management, lab notebooks, etc.
  • Act with professionalism at all times: remember that you are a representative of the Caves lab both during your tenure here and after you leave, both on and off campus.

Should any lab members violate this code of conduct, I will speak to them, regardless of their position or status in the lab. Should anyone outside of the lab exhibit behavior that negatively impacts members of the lab or our broader community, I will speak to them. If inappropriate behavior persists after this initial discussion, I will commence formal processes in line with UCSB’s work practice policies to ensure that this behavior does not continue.