MERL Inclusive Culture

Our Inclusive Culture

In our lab, we understand that a diverse set of experiences and perspectives are key to creative and productive research.  We understand that collaborations built on centering historically excluded perspectives are critical to advancing science and society as we experience the catastrophic impacts of climate change.  Our pursuit of knowledge must be beyond colonial ways of knowing.  We acknowledge the current and historic oppression experienced by Black, Indigenous, and People of Color and denounce the culture of white supremacy that has benefited white people at the direct expense of peoples who are not white or not white presenting.  We acknowledge that people with different backgrounds will experience marine science courses and research opportunities differently, and that they will face different barriers to full inclusion, equity, and success, which we must work to understand and dismantle to provide equitable access to all. 

In this lab we believe...

We acknowledge the realities of bias and assumptions taken for granted that uphold white supremacy (even if unintentionally). We commit to  speaking out against statements that are racist and oppressive, and act in support of movements and communities seeking equality and reparations. 


To develop an inclusive culture and foster belonging

As PI I will:

Create Brave Spaces

Foster a lab environment where members feel safe asking for help, sharing their needs and working collaboratively.  To do so, I value a dialogic relationship rather than a unidirectional didactic model, in other words meaningful dialogue rather than dictating of tasks.

Regular Discussions

Commit to regularly discussing our lab norms, progress, and re-commitment to an inclusive culture with the lab team. To do so, I value dialogic relationships as a group and self-reflection as a true pathway to understanding, empathy, and respect and will therefore coordinate activities within the lab that allow this

Break Down Barriers

Actively pursue my own knowledge about racial justice and systemic discrimination against marginalized communities so that I may break down the barriers to success faced by historically excluded groups.

Emphasize Cultivation of Self

Intentionally craft an experience for each student that emphasizes the cultivation of self rather than contribute to a culture of data productivity.

Adopt Growth-Mindsets

Encourage students to adopt growth-mindsets; no student is “born bad at” a subject. Instead, foster the idea that every skill can be learned and improved over time, regardless of previous ability.

Open and Engaging

Promote open and engaging field research, where all individuals may learn from one another, feel confident in participating, and understand that their concerns are valued.

Holistic Recruitment

Recruit new lab members based on holistic evaluation, which includes lived experience as expertise.

Address Equity

Develop research practices that address equity, consider the socio-ecological context of our work, and its impacts on diverse communities.

 


In our lab we will:

Break Down Antiquated Structures

Work as accomplices with historically underrepresented groups and actively amplify voices to break down antiquated systemic structures that perpetuate inequities. 

Open and Engaging

Promote open and engaging field research, where all individuals may learn from one another, feel confident in participating, and understand that their concerns are valued.

Educate Ourselves

Educate ourselves about racial justice and systemic discrimination against marginalized communities.

Feedback to the PI

Participate in shaping the lab environment and policies and create opportunities for feedback to the PI. 

Work Collaboratively

Contribute to a lab environment where members feel safe asking for help, sharing their needs, and working collaboratively.

Outreach and Partnerships

Engage in outreach and partnership with our local community to communicate the science we are conducting. 

Honor

Honor community knowledge, histories, and stories at our field sites
 
 

LAND ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

Stockton University is located on the traditional unceded territory of the Lenni-Lenape, called “Lenapehoking.”  We pay respect to Indigenous people throughout the Lenape diaspora – past, present, and future – and honor those who have been historically and systemically disenfranchised. We also acknowledge that Stockton University, like New Jersey and the United States as a nation, was founded upon the exclusions and erasures of Indigenous peoples.  These Indigenous people, many of whom lost their lives to genocide, were forced to leave their land. We recognize the historical and continuing impacts of colonization on Indigenous communities, their resilience in the face of colonial and state sponsored violence, and fully support Indigenous Sovereignty.    
https://native-land.ca/