Our Approach to Laboratory Culture

Our primary work is producing knowledge about how people vary in their thoughts, feelings, and behaviors and about how these differences interact with the social environments that people inhabit. This work is necessarily done in a community and is necessarily embracing of diversity. We, thus, aim to create and maintain an intellectual community that is welcoming to all people and in which we support each other’s personal and social growth. We believe that this kind of community is necessary for performing our research at the highest level possible.

Culturally, we strive to balance independence and interdependence, encouraging individual development, thought, and inquiry that is supported by, and in turn enriches, a larger research community. We support each other by asking critical and encouraging questions about each other’s research; sharing information and resources; organically collaborating on projects; practicing work–life balance; and maintaining an open-minded, welcoming, reliable, and warm community.

In recruiting new lab members, we look for people who are curious and creative; diligent and responsible; and respectful, supportive, and honest.