Diversity and Inclusion Manifesto - UNDER CONSTRUCTION
Excellent science depends on a culture in which people are respected, supported and able to contribute fully. Everyone who joins or works with our group is expected to uphold the commitments set out here.
Respect and inclusion
We welcome people of every background, identity and career path. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, bullying, intimidation or exclusion based on personal characteristics, circumstances or beliefs.
We commit to:
- treating colleagues, students, collaborators, research participants and community partners with dignity and courtesy;
- using people’s chosen names and pronouns and respecting their identities and privacy;
- listening to perspectives shaped by different cultures, disciplines and lived experiences;
- making reasonable adjustments that enable people with disabilities, health conditions or caring responsibilities to participate fully; and
- challenging discriminatory or disrespectful behaviour rather than leaving that responsibility to those affected by it.
Professional conduct
Professionalism means being dependable, honest and considerate. We communicate clearly, meet agreed responsibilities, respect other people’s time and boundaries, and acknowledge mistakes. Scientific disagreement is welcome; personal attacks and dismissive behaviour are not.
Feedback should be specific, constructive and proportionate. Differences in seniority, employment security, language or confidence must never be used to silence, pressure or disadvantage others. Romantic or sexual attention, coercion, retaliation and abuses of authority have no place in our working environment.
Fair participation and development
We aim to distribute opportunities, resources and routine work fairly. Expectations around roles, supervision, deadlines, fieldwork, data ownership, authorship and credit should be discussed early and revisited when circumstances change.
We commit to recognising all contributions appropriately, supporting professional development and creating space for early-career researchers to ask questions, propose ideas and develop independence. Recruitment and evaluation should be based on relevant evidence and transparent criteria, with active attention to bias and structural disadvantage.
Scientific integrity and ethics
Our research must be honest, rigorous, transparent and accountable. Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, selective reporting and misrepresentation of contributions are unacceptable.
We commit to:
- keeping accurate research records and managing data securely and responsibly;
- reporting methods, limitations and uncertainty openly;
- sharing data, code and materials when ethical, legal and practical constraints allow;
- assigning authorship and acknowledgement according to genuine contributions;
- declaring conflicts of interest and correcting errors promptly;
- obtaining all required ethical approvals, permits and permissions before research begins; and
- placing animal welfare, researcher safety and environmental responsibility above convenience or speed.
Fieldwork and collaborations should respect local laws, communities, expertise and knowledge. Samples, data and partnerships must not be treated as resources to which we are automatically entitled.
A safe and supportive workplace
Everyone shares responsibility for the group’s culture. We will look out for one another during office work, laboratory work, travel and fieldwork, and we will plan activities with physical and psychological safety in mind. Personal information and sensitive concerns will be handled discreetly and shared only when necessary.
Anyone who experiences or witnesses conduct inconsistent with this manifesto is encouraged to raise it with the group lead, a trusted colleague or an appropriate institutional service, whichever route feels safest. Concerns should be heard seriously and without retaliation. Where informal resolution is inappropriate, institutional policies and reporting procedures take precedence.
An ongoing commitment
Inclusion and integrity require continued attention rather than a one-time declaration. We will revisit this manifesto as the group develops, learn from criticism and evidence, and change our practices when they fall short of these commitments.
By working with the group, we agree to contribute to a research culture that is rigorous, fair, respectful and kind.