GW Primate Life History Lab - Code of Conduct

GOALS for our LABORATORY COMMUNITY:

  • To foster a thriving intellectual community that recognizes and values diverse backgrounds, experiences and perspectives; is safe, free of discrimination, harassment, and abuse; and that is supportive of health and well-being;

  • To foster a community where individual members are supported in developing strong and independent science/professional identities:

    • by providing opportunities to engage in the research process as a way of seeking answers to questions of interest;

    • by establishing a mutually supportive space in which to exchange ideas, engage in constructive feedback, and establish mentoring and collaborative relationships, to promote growth;

    • by helping members set realistic and healthy goals related to their research and professional trajectories, and build the expertise and confidence to pursue them;

    • by supporting all members of our community in recognizing their individual strengths and the value of their contributions to our field;

    • by facilitating opportunities for professional development, to establish connections with scholars outside our group, to support developing independence and pursuit of longer-term research, professional and/or career goals.

EXPECTATIONS FOR ETHICAL AND PROFESSIONAL CONDUCT:

All members of our lab are expected to act according to the highest standards of respectful, ethical and professional conduct, and demonstrate a commitment to the following:

We have a zero tolerance policy for discrimination, sex or gender-based harassment and sexual assault, intimidation, violence, academic bullying and other forms of misconduct that jeopardize a safe, supportive and inclusive working environment for all persons.  Such misconduct includes, but is not limited to, the following (as also outlined in the above GW policy statements):

  • Jokes, disparaging or degrading comments, singling out for less favorable treatment, or other bias-related acts (https://diversity.gwu.edu/bias-incident-response) directed in any form (e.g., verbal, written, social media) towards an individual on the basis of age, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, color, personal appearance, race, religion, ethnicity, political affiliation, disability, or other such characteristics;

  • Unwanted sexual advances, sexual contact, or repeated propositions; comments about an individual’s body or sexual activity; references to sexual conduct, or displays of sexually suggestive objects or images; use of one’s authority or power over another individual to solicit sexual favors, or to coerce (whether subtly or directly) that individual to engage in activities of a sexual nature;

  • Other comments, acts or behaviors that are demeaning, intimidating, humiliating, harassing, threatening, or otherwise abusive;

  • Threats of violence, property damage or personal injury.

We encourage all members of our community to report any acts that do not comply with the above expectations, regardless of whether they wish to file a formal complaint or choose to remain anonymous, so actions can be taken to address and prevent such behaviors. Resources for reporting misconduct, and other campus resources, are provided in the list of Campus Resources below.

All complaints of misconduct will be taken seriously and addressed as per GW university procedures, and may result in possible disciplinary action including immediate termination of participation in our community.  Retaliation against reporters of misconduct will not be tolerated. 

In developing this statement, a number of online references and resources have been particularly helpful: