The Durham Lab values open-mindedness, respect, honesty, kindness, curiosity, and communication. All lab members may safely express themselves and openly share their ideas and opinions. As a group, we celebrate, support, and empower all of our lab members, and we welcome diversity across numerous axes, including but not limited to, race, religion, ethnicity, sex, gender, sexuality, ability, social diversity, and their intersections.

We reject all forms of racism and discrimination. Yet, we recognize that racism has been part of the foundation of scientific enterprise [1]. As a research group, we are committed to doing the work to make our learning environment and research community inclusive, equitable, and supportive for Black people, Indigenous people, and non-Black people of color. This includes educating and training our lab members around institutional racism and other forms of oppression, discrimination, and bias; using our platform to amplify the voices of BIPOC in our community and defend them from acts of racism; and, advocating for and supporting anti-racist and ally-ship initiatives within our department, university, and scientific community [e.g., 2,3].

We acknowledge that such efforts are often uncomfortable as we navigate and confront the various structures of oppression that disadvantage BIPOC, immigrants, and LGBTQ+ community members [4-6], but through which many of us admittedly benefit. Still, we are committed to addressing these challenges because we recognize that our success as a community is inextricably linked with advancing diversity in STEM and abolishing racial inequality [7,8].

Poster reads: “In this lab, we believe: science is real (microscope image), love is love (rainbow anatomical heart), Black lives matter (brown raised fist), feminism is for everyone (female symbol), microbes are cool (single-celled organisms), immigrants are welcome (statue of liberty).” This poster represents our pledge and commitment to continuous allyship, with original image c/o Sammy Katta (https://sammykatta.com/diversity).

As the PI, Dr. Durham is dedicated to using the advantages of her position to provide equitable opportunities, training, and tools to advance the careers of all lab members.

This statement serves as a living document that will be regularly revisited and shaped by all lab members.

References:
[1] UN Chronicle article on misuse of science in justifying racism link
[2] Ally skills network of Gainesville link
[3] UF’s Department of Biology DEI page link
[4] Nature Geoscience article on race and racism in geosciences link
[5] Science Magazine article on barriers to diversity in field sciences link
[6] Atlantic article on barriers for Black people to pursue/earn doctoral degrees link
[7] PNAS article on the diversity-innovation paradox link
[8] Washington Post article on racism impacts on climate science link