The McClenaghan Lab Commitment

It is our goal to develop an inclusive lab in which our colleagues and mentees feel supported and empowered, and which is in keeping with the broader institutional commitments to diversity, inclusion and equity. This is based on the premise that all voices deserve the opportunity to be heard, irrespective of a person’s background or identity.

I appreciate that specific challenges, insults, and barriers, which I have not be subjected to,  are experienced by many people based on their race, sexual orientation, gender, socio-economic status, and disabilities. I acknowledge that I may not fully understand the challenges other people have faced, and continue to face, but I will strive to maintain an open ear to listen and learn. We hope to develop a culture of inclusion which empowers our colleagues to speak up. I aim to establish an equitable leadership style, but one which also recognizes that certain individuals may require specific support in certain areas. I will strive to encourage mentees to share their concerns or difficulties with me, and I will seek to identify avenues for support, or advocate on their behalf, where helpful.

Research science can be a challenging and difficult experience, even for the most confident individuals. For others, who may not always feel at home due to the current lack of representation of people of diverse backgrounds in science, impostor syndrome can exacerbate such difficulties. I will aim to celebrate success and serve as a buttress against what may appear to be failures – experimental difficulties, disappointing results, challenging meetings. I will work to ensure that my mentees feel assured that they belong.  I have had the privilege of mentoring, in formal and informal roles, multiple students from diverse and international backgrounds. I am proud to have been able to support these students, to make them feel welcomed and valued within the lab.

I see diversity as a source of great potential and strength in the scientific community. Different perspectives can provide exciting insights and only by embracing and empowering all people, notably including those from under-represented minority groups, can we realise this awesome potential.  As a field we should strive to attract, enable, and retain colleagues from under-represented groups. I appreciate that this requires active participation and will strive to play my part.