Shenhav Lab on Diversity & Inclusion
The Shenhav Lab commits to cultivating a diverse and inclusive work environment that is welcoming, respectful, and supportive. We aspire to create a community where every member can freely share their unique perspectives. We recognize that our research is stronger when individuals with a variety of backgrounds, beliefs, and experiences are represented, and when their perspectives are valued. We provide equal opportunities to recruit, support, and retain applicants for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, veteran status and disability status. We aim to foster an inclusive environment in which lab members can develop the skills and confidence to help achieve their long-term objectives.
Collectively, we strive to achieve the following concrete goals:
1. Establish norms for balanced representation in research and teaching
To improve diversity in the research we read, we will strive to establish balanced and equitable representation of scientists in our citation practices (Dworkin, Linn, Teich, Zurn, Shinohara, & Bassett (2020)).
To improve diversity in the research we hear, we will promote broad representation among the speakers invited to present in our lab.
To improve diversity in the research we support, we will eliminate biases in nominations and evaluations for grants and awards.
2. Diversify our recruitment process
To increase accessibility of research opportunities, we will transparently communicate opportunities for paid research and financial support (e.g. graduate school application waivers and undergraduate research scholarships).
To increase awareness of opportunities to a more diverse network, we will actively advertise lab positions in networks that target historically underrepresented groups.
We will also normalize candid conversations between candidates and lab members that provide realistic expectations of the lab environment.
3. Help meet the needs and career goals for a diverse lab
We first and foremost commit to providing and actively maintaining a welcoming and supportive atmosphere within our lab, and to reinforce this standard across the department.
To facilitate every lab members' success in the lab, we will clearly communicate expectations (research duties, social norms) and opportunities for skill development.
To assure that every lab member has the opportunity to succeed in their career, we will work with our trainees to help them overcome common obstacles at various stages of their careers. This includes helping to plan career goals (e.g., identifying the necessary steps) and supporting their pursuit of those goals.
4. Engage the community in scientific outreach
To reduce inequalities in early exposure to science and research, we will engage in educational and scientific outreach to our local community, particularly to those parts of our community that currently have the least access to such resources.
To increase research accessibility and promote scientific literacy, we will present our work in local elementary schools, high schools, and public libraries. Where possible, we will highlight implications of our research (e.g., on mental effort motivation) for understanding and improving real-word achievement (e.g., success in the classroom).
To broaden and diversify research engagement, we will use these presentations and related educational outreach activities as opportunities to demonstrate that science is a fun, creative, and obtainable career path; to demystify the steps one would take to follow that path; and to advertise relevant research opportunities at Brown and elsewhere.