CSL Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Statement
“Our mission is to advance our understanding of ocean chemistry and its role in the current age where human activity is significantly impacting climate. We are an interdisciplinary lab that develops new sensors and sensing platforms to study ocean chemistry and to measure microplastics in the ocean. We aim to smartly sense the ocean. Here in the Chemical Sensors Lab, we strive to create a space that values, celebrates and includes people with diverse backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences.”
Our lab seeks to recruit, support, and retain members from diverse backgrounds and groups that have historically been underrepresented in the sciences. As a team, we are committed to creating a learning and working environment where individuals feel supported and invested in the lab mission. To us, this means ensuring our lab is representative of what society looks like today and is active in solving scientific and societal problems that affect all of us. This is a dynamic process, and we are continuously striving to improve our efforts toward these goals.
A primary reason our lab promotes these values is that we believe we have an obligation to each other to lift up voices that have been marginalized in our field and to foster environments that are welcoming, enriching, and enjoyable to be a part of. Beyond this, we simply feel more comfortable and healthy in spaces where everyone can participate equitably. We also recognize that, like ecosystems, teams are strongest when they are diverse. In fact, research suggests that labs can be more creative, productive, and successful when people from diverse backgrounds have a seat at the table. We as a lab also recognize the value of basic science literacy and actively seek opportunities to engage traditionally marginalized groups and diverse audiences in learning about our research efforts.
The Chemical Sensors Lab supports WHOI’s DEI statement that “it is not enough to state that we believe in diversity, equity, and inclusion. We need to take action to create a culture in which the voices of all people are fully heard and fully included, because it is the right thing to do. There are many barriers facing people from traditionally marginalized groups. At WHOI, we are committed to identifying and removing those barriers for richer academic discussion and a healthier research community.”
Borrowed extensively from the Gratton Lab: https://gratton.entomology.wisc.edu/
More information about WHOI’s commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion can be found on the DEI page: https://www.whoi.edu/who-we-are/about-us/diversity-equity-and-inclusion/
