Friesen Lab Statement on Indigenization - Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, Anti-Racism, and Accessibility

In this lab, we embrace racial, ethnic, religious and gender diversity. An equitable and diverse workplace enables underrepresented researchers to reach their full potential, and makes our research more ethically sound, rigorous, and innovative. We are strongly committed to providing a safe, supportive, and inclusive environment, and strive to be anti-racist.

  • We acknowledge that Queen’s University is situated on Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee territories, and that many of the lands where we conduct research are territories of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit. 

  • We endeavour to conduct research in the spirit of reconciliation, with respect for Indigenous people, the Land, and Indigenous knowledge and ways of knowing. 

  • We welcome and celebrate Black and Indigenous people, Persons of Colour, and members of the LGBTQIA2S+ communities, both as visitors and as lab members. 

  • In our lab, all people are treated equally and with respect, regardless of race, ethnicity, religion, gender identity, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, ability, and academic rank. 

  • We do not tolerate harassment or discrimination in any form, and strive to eliminate racist and discriminatory behaviour both within and outside the lab through our Code of Conduct.

  • We actively educate ourselves about equity, diversity, inclusion, indigeneity, accessibility and reconciliation through regular discussions informed by scholarly readings, and engage in cultural safety training

  • We support multi-mentorship of students belonging to marginalized communities, and aim to improve their research opportunities.

  • We amplify voices of BIPOC researchers through regular discussion of scholarly publications by BIPOC researchers. 

  • Social justice includes environmental justice, which we strive to attain in our everyday actions and research by minimizing our environmental footprint in the lab and field. 

Developed with reference to 

Chaudhary, V.B. & A.A. Berhe. 2020. Ten simple rules for building an antiracist lab. PLoS Comput. Biol. 16:e1008210.

Wong, C. et al. 2020. Towards reconciliation: 10 Calls to Action to natural scientists working in Canada. FACETS 5:769–783.


See below for our lab’s Code for Conduct and key definitions. 


Friesen Lab Code of Conduct

  1. The lab is a team. Be ready to help others when you can, and do not be afraid to ask for help. 

  2. No one’s project is more or less important than anyone else’s. 

  3. No one has first priority on equipment. Be co-operative and considerate with communal equipment . 

  4. Be patient, friendly, humble, respectful and sensitive to other lab members, and always give them the benefit of the doubt – none of us knows anyone else’s full story. 

  5. Be respectful of other people’s limits and boundaries. 

  6. Give everyone a chance to speak and an opportunity to contribute.

  7. Watch for microaggressions. Be aware that your actions and words can be hurtful to others or contribute to a negative environment even if you had no intent of harm. If someone does express that you hurt their feelings – stop, listen, offer a genuine apology, and commit to learning and doing better. 

  8. Harassment and discrimination are not tolerated in this lab in any form. If you feel you have been the object of discrimination, harassment, microaggression(s), or unacceptable behaviour (see Key Definitions below) inform Vicki immediately, either directly to or using the anonymous form on the lab website here. Or tell an appropriate Queen’s employee (see resource list at end). 

  9.  If you witness behaviour that you think is inappropriate, do not be afraid to stand up for your – and others’ – right to a safe and supportive environment: Tell Vicki or another appropriate individual at Queen’s.  

  10. Sexist, racist, or exclusionary comments and messages even as jokes are not appropriate and deemed unacceptable behaviour.

  11. Behave professionally. This includes spaces outside the BioSciences Complex and Queen’s University. This applies especially to conferences and field work, where you are representatives of Queen’s University, our lab, and biologists in general. 

  12. Be kind to yourself. Be mindful of your limits and do not  be afraid to say ‘No’. Feel free to express your limits and boundaries. Do not exhaust yourself, make time to play.

 (Modified from the Bonier lab Code of Conduct)

Key Definitions

  • Discrimination: An action against an individual or group that limits opportunities (Queen’s University, Department of Biology, 2021). 

  • Harassment: A course of comments or conduct that is known to be, or should be known to be, unwelcome (Queen’s University, Department of Biology, 2021).

  • Inclusion: Valuing and supporting different voices and perspectives, developing an understanding of different cultures, experiences and communities, and making a conscious effort to be welcoming, helpful and respectful to everyone (Natural Sciences and Engineering Council of Canada)

  • Microaggression: commonplace verbal, behavioral or environmental slights, whether intentional or unintentional, that communicate hostile, derogatory, or negative attitudes toward members of marginalized groups. (Sue, D.W. 2010. Microaggressions in Everyday Life: Race, Gender, and Sexual Orientation. Wiley.)

  • Unacceptable behavior:  Offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, ability, mental or physical health, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual image; deliberate intimidation; stalking, following, photographing or recording; sustained disruption of discussions; unwelcome physical contact or sexual attention (modified from Poisot lab). 


Rules of the Friesen Lab


No one’s project is more or less important than anyone else’s; no one has first priority on equipment. Be co-operative and considerate with communal equipment.


Everyone is responsible for cleaning up after themselves. 


Each person is responsible for filling his/her own tip boxes and maintaining private chemical stocks.  Do not borrow anyone else’s disposables or consumables without first asking them. 


If, after using a communal item, insufficient quantity remains for a standard experiment (e.g., < 100 mL 10 x TA), make more immediately.


If you don’t know how to make a solution or reagent, please ask someone! Also some items need to be autoclaved and the autoclave has a sign-up sheet. Do not use the autoclave without first being shown how.


For most chemicals and consumables, one back-up container will be maintained; if you open a back-up, tell Vicki immediately. For items with no back-up (e.g., phenol), tell Vicki when the item is becoming depleted.


All solutions, even private stocks, must be clearly labelled with the type and concentration of solution, date of preparation, and initials of the person who prepared it.


New tissue samples should be placed immediately in “Gaby’s Freezer” and ideally not used until they are archived. 


All DNA samples must be clearly labelled with the species or AOU species code, collection location, specimen number, date of preparation, type of preparation, and initials of the person who prepared them. DO NOT label tubes – especially tissue and DNA tubes – with new or abbreviated codes (e.g. “N1”). Label trays too. 


Wash dishes IMMEDIATELY after you have finished using them. Clean up any messes, especially around communal equipment, immediately. Return equipment to its appropriate place (e.g., pipettors to their holders; communal primers to the primer rack) immediately. 


If you break something, no matter how small or big, tell Vicki right away so we can order a replacement.


At the end of each day, check around the lab to be sure you have not left any chemicals out, equipment on, dishes dirty, etc. Please clean up any messes even if they are not yours – everyone forgets a dish occasionally.


Back up your data and other important files regularly, ideally to multiple sites such as the lab external hard drive and Center for Advanced Computing. Be sure your backups include any metadata or other files needed to interpret your data. 


When you are finished your program and before leaving Kingston, return tissue and DNA samples to their appropriate boxes in the archive, and throw away any other project-related items in the fridges and freezers (e.g., DNA dilutions, failed PCRs)

UNIVERSITY RESOURCES AND POLICIES

Support and Guidance:


University Policies and Procedures:

https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/policies/board-policies/sexual-violence-involving-queen’s-university-students-policy

  • Harassment/Discrimination Complaint Policy and Procedure:

https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/harassment-discrimination/overview 

  • Links to many other relevant University Policies: 

https://www.queensu.ca/secretariat/diversity-and-inclusivity-policy-index

Queen’s University Student Code of Conduct (https://www.queensu.ca/registrar/sites/uregwww/files/uploaded_files/pdfs/Policy/University%20Code%20of%20Conduct%20and%20Senate%20Policies/StudentCodeOfConduct.pdf)