Diversity & Inclusion
The Davies Lab is committed to maintaining an inclusive environment, regardless of age, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, race, religion, nationality, immigration status or socio-economic background.
Discrimination or harassment of any kind is not tolerated in in the lab, at lab functions on or off-site, online, above or under water, at sea, and at all other Davies Lab events.
We will support individuals struggling with discrimination or harassment by providing an open and supportive atmosphere, speaking up on their behalf when appropriate, and guiding them to the support and resources that they need.
(Modified from Randall Hughes)
Members of the Davies lab know that BLACK LIVES MATTER
In light of recent events, we have developed immediate and longer-term actions within our lab that are specifically designed to combat systemic racism and inequality:
1) Hold colleagues and ourselves accountable for creating and maintaining a healthy, anti-racist workspace
2) Enhance diversity, equity, and inclusion in our community
a) Commence efforts to include local communities in all fieldwork activities
b) Seek out a diversity of collaborators and seminar speakers who are underrepresented
c) Cite a diversity of scientists in our papers
d) Nominate scientists from underrepresented groups for status-elevating roles in science
e) Hire field assistants and researchers from underrepresented groups and ensure they are compensated both fiscally and in the form of publications
f) Create a summer internship in the Davies lab specifically focused on recruiting a student from a diverse community college
g) Secure funding to recruit and retain graduate students from underrepresented groups
h) Collect information on resources to support students from underrepresented groups in the lab. For example, collect specific information on available grants at BU and beyond and provide our support in the application process.
i) Establish community outreach with K-12 education to educate and foster interest in students in predominantly underrepresented or less funded areas
j) Ensure fieldwork safety for all of our researchers, especially in regions known for discrimination
3) Increasing our knowledge and understanding of systemic racism
a) June 10th, 2020: Used #ShutDownSTEM strike day to educate, discuss, and plan our actions
b) June 24th, 2020: News meeting (our lab’s journal club) discussed research on police brutality and systemic racism in academia and beyond
c) July 1st, 2020: Discussion of readings related to social and environmental justice
d) Future Summer News meetings will highlight research from BIPOC scientists.
e) These themes on racism and justice will be recurring throughout future lab news meetings
f) Created a Slack channel focused on sharing ideas and resources related to D&I
g) Lab participated in a book club: “How to be an anti-racist”
h) Anti-racism readings will continue to be shared within our research group through the Slack channel
4) Enhance representation in the courses we teach (faculty and TF)
a) Diversify reading lists for all courses to ensure we are highlighting diverse authors
b) Add diversity and inclusion language to syllabi
c) Incorporate examples of representation in marine science and examples of systemic issues that promote discussion and awareness of the negative racial/historical context of many studies/scientists in lectures
d) Add land acknowledgement statements to syllabi and in invited seminars
-Chaudhary and Berhe