# Theory Division Lab Handbook

# Theory Division Mission Statement

Our lab is committed to creating and maintaining an environment in which all are welcome and respected - one that is inclusive of race, gender, faith, sexual orientation, ability, and socioeconomic status. We acknowledge that many identities are underrepresented in STEM and in academia, and that systemic racism and other discrimination create obstacles for students and postdocs. We strongly condemn behaviors and institutions that perpetuate these inequities, and we as a lab must act to dismantle the structural and systemic barriers to higher education.

The mission of our lab is to create a space for students and postdocs to develop the skills necessary to be able to effectively question, research, and communicate scientific topics. We understand that differences will exist in the level of training, knowledge, personal circumstances, and life and career goals of lab members. As such, our goal is to provide an equitable academic opportunity while taking these conditions into account.

# Lab Onboarding

If you are a new member of the lab, please add yourself to the lab census by filling out this [google form](https://forms.gle/FxfgNXQyLtege3x69)! A working lab census can be found in the appendix, including contact info and research interests of all current members.

If you haven’t been added to the group slack workspace, ping Jake and he will add you. Slack is the primary medium by which the group communicates outside of meetings. In the slack you will find channels for just about any research focus within the group in addition to channels for socializing and posting pics of food.

Important background papers for the work in the Theory Division can be found in the appendix (work in progress).