Lab Ethos
Lab Ethos
Our lab is committed to **fostering a culture of respect, honesty, integrity, and curiosity**, where all individuals are valued for their contributions and empowered to explore new ideas without fear of judgment. We uphold the highest ethical standards in our research and interactions, ensuring that honesty and integrity guide our work. We embrace curiosity as the driving force behind discovery, cultivating an environment where questions are encouraged, and learning is continuous. Harassment, discrimination, and exclusion have no place in our lab—we are dedicated to inclusivity, collaboration, and mutual support. Through these principles, we seek to push the boundaries of knowledge while maintaining a community built on trust, openness, and shared purpose.
We believe that **diversity in backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences** is the foundation of innovation, creativity, and transformative scientific progress. Our lab thrives on the strength that comes from bringing together individuals with different viewpoints, cultures, and expertise, as we recognize that the best ideas emerge from inclusive collaboration. We actively foster an environment where everyone feels empowered to contribute, knowing that diverse voices enrich our research and propel new discoveries. By embracing and celebrating our differences, we build a stronger, more dynamic community that challenges assumptions, expands possibilities, and ensures our work has a broad and lasting impact.
- Science is for everyone**, not just a select few, and we are committed to making research accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to all who are curious and passionate about discovery. We reject the notion that science belongs only to an elite group and instead champion the idea that diverse perspectives and backgrounds strengthen scientific inquiry. Knowledge should not be a privilege but a shared resource that benefits all of humanity. We strive to break down barriers—whether social, economic, or institutional—that limit participation. Through mentorship, outreach, and open collaboration, we create opportunities for anyone who wishes to engage with science, ensuring that the pursuit of knowledge remains open, equitable, and driven by collective curiosity rather than exclusivity.
The **health and well-being** of all lab members are fundamental to our success, and we are committed to fostering an environment that prioritizes both physical and mental well-being. We recognize that research is demanding, but we believe that productivity should never come at the expense of personal health. We prioritize open conversations about workload and stress. We support one another and ensure resources are available. Mutual respect, kindness, and a culture of care guide our interactions, and we actively promote policies and practices that create a sustainable and supportive work environment. Whether through flexible work arrangements, shared wisdom, or simply fostering a community where individuals feel valued and heard, we are dedicated to ensuring that every member of our lab thrives both professionally and personally.
- Science is inherently political** because it shapes and is shaped by the societies in which it operates. The questions we ask, the funding we receive, the policies that govern our research, and the ways scientific knowledge is applied all exist within political contexts. Science influences public policy on issues like AI, public health, and (neuro-)technology, and in turn, political systems determine who has access to education, research opportunities, and resources. We recognize that science is not neutral—it has the power to challenge injustices, inform decision-making, and drive societal progress. As researchers, we have a responsibility to engage critically with the political dimensions of our work, advocate for evidence-based policies, and ensure that science serves the common good rather than reinforcing systems of inequality or exclusion.
- Open science** is a fundamental principle that ensures research is transparent, accessible, and reproducible. As most scientific research is publicly funded, we believe that the knowledge generated should be openly available to the public, rather than locked behind paywalls or restricted access. Open science practices, including open-access publishing, data/code sharing, and reproducible methodologies, strengthen scientific integrity, accelerate discovery, and promote collaboration across disciplines and communities. Science is a global effort, and open science fosters a spirit of collaboration and community by enabling researchers from around the world to share knowledge, build on each other’s work, and solve complex problems together. By embracing openness, we increase accountability, reduce barriers to participation, and maximize the impact of our research. We are committed to fostering a culture of transparency, where scientific progress benefits all and where knowledge is a shared resource for the advancement of society as a whole.
- Together**, we can harness the power of science and research to illuminate a path forward, even in the face of political, social, and environmental challenges. While it is easy to feel discouraged by uncertainty or division, we believe that discovery, innovation, and knowledge provide a foundation for optimism. Science is a testament to human curiosity and resilience—it has the power to solve complex problems, improve lives, and reveal new possibilities for the future. Through socially responsible research, we gain not only a deeper understanding of the world but also the tools to shape it for the better. By working collaboratively, asking bold questions, and committing to truth and progress, we can confront the challenges of our time with confidence. Science reminds us that the future is not predetermined—it is something we can build together, with courage, creativity, and a shared commitment to a better world.
Land Acknowledgment
We are grateful to live and work as uninvited guests upon the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee Confederacy and the Anishinabek Nation. To acknowledge this land is to recognize its deep and enduring history, one that predates the establishment of European settlements. It is also to recognize the significance of this territory for the Indigenous Peoples who have lived, and continue to live, upon it, whose cultural practices, languages, and spiritualities are deeply tied to the land and its ecosystems.
Our research is shaped by the land we inhabit, and we strive to conduct our work with respect for Indigenous knowledge systems and environmental stewardship. We acknowledge that scientific inquiry does not exist in isolation from history, and we commit to learning from and collaborating with Indigenous communities to ensure that our research is ethical, responsible, and inclusive. By engaging in meaningful dialogue and action, we seek to honour Indigenous contributions to knowledge and to work toward a more equitable and sustainable future.
