Members of WatLIT have come together to identify their principles and values to maintain a safe, enjoyable, and welcoming environment for everyone. This document is a summary of that collaboration and reflects the time it was written. This document will be periodically revised as need.
General Principles
We aim to be more than colleagues by:
- Following the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”
- “Being your neighbors’ keeper.”
- Going the extra mile to help someone, and asking for help, both professionally and personally, when needed.
- Checking in to see how people are doing.
- Listening, as well as talking, and by giving other people an opportunity to contribute.
- Give your full attention to the speaker during meetings and presentations (in-person and online).
Research Ethics and Academic Integrity
We strive to produce impactful, ethical, and honest research contributions and abide by the following guidelines in our work:
- Give credit to people who make intellectual contributions to the work, but no gratuitous or gift authorship. Consider acknowledgements for technical contribution. [COPE = Committee on Publication Ethics].
- Authors should see the manuscript and have an opportunity to review before submission.
- Work with honesty and integrity.
- Properly cite original source.
- No plagiarism (self or from others).
- Statistical analysis: “be true to the data”, no “cherry picking” – include all viewpoints, even those contrary to your hypothesis.
- Include validation and verification of results whenever possible.
- Integrity during reviews: no “coercive citations”, treat papers as confidential, be fair in your review.
- Strive to make new and meaningful research contributions – not just “turning the crank.”
Working Environment and Conflict Resolution
Everyone has the right to work in a safe and welcoming environment. We accomplish this by:
- Becoming familiar with and following the University of Waterloo policy on workplace violence and sexual harassment.
- Acting professionally and being considerate of other people, and by considering the impact of our words and actions.
- Using equipment responsibly and safely. This includes reading the instructions and SOP prior to using equipment, getting appropriate training when necessary, and by following the given procedure.
- Putting tools away appropriately.
- Ensuring access to equipment is fair and using schedules when appropriate.
- Keeping workspaces clean.
- Dealing with issues and people respectfully, openly, and directly
- In the event of a conflict, the involved individuals should attempt to resolve the issue through respectful dialogue. If the issue persists or an individual is not comfortable with addressing the other party, they can talk to the lab supervisor or another lab member in confidence. In the event of substantial harassment or academic misconduct, the lab supervisor must be notified.
Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion
We recognize that talent is dependent on the individual and not their background. Because a diversity of viewpoints is beneficial for the progression of research and beyond, we promote equity, diversity, and inclusion by:
- Using inclusive language and being cognizant if English is not another person’s first language.
- Discussing and celebrating cultural differences.
- Taking the time to listen to other’s experiences, theories, beliefs, etc.
- Not allowing stereotypes to cloud one’s judgement.
- Being inclusive and open-minded.
- Participating in activities that promote EDI.