Lab Values

Motivation

The Fendorf Lab stands against systemic racism and discrimination. Responding to the civil rights movement to recognize Black lives and to uproot systemic injustices, we are committed to examining and expanding our own lab values and practices to ensure a safe and just research environment for everyone. We recognize that racism and other forms of discrimination persist in academia, and we seek to address discriminatory structures in academia as a whole that have impacted people of color and individuals from historically underrepresented backgrounds in the sciences. Diversity, equity, and inclusion are core values in our lab—but we know we have work to do. We invite other academics and prospective lab members to reach out to us to hear more about the steps we are taking towards this goal and to share actions you may be taking.

Our Values

We are committed to embracing diversity in race, ethnicity, gender, religion, ability, sexual orientation, and economic background. Diversity strengthens communities and workplaces, while challenging stereotyped biases and encouraging critical thinking. Diversity is a cornerstone of creativity and ingenuity, and it is critical to our science and community. Our group seeks to recruit and support members from diverse backgrounds that have been historically excluded from and/or underrepresented in the sciences. We invite all individuals, however you define your identity, to work with us. Building an inclusive environment is a dynamic process; we regularly assess how our actions ensure that our lab members thrive.

Land Acknowledgement

We acknowledge and appreciate that our lab sits on the ancestral lands of the Muwekma Ohlone Tribe. As uninvited guests on these lands, we are beneficiaries of the ongoing displacement and intergenerational trauma of the Muwekma Ohlone people. We celebrate the culture and perseverance of the Muwekma Ohlone people to keep their identity strong, and we are committed to supporting their efforts and contributions to diversity. More than 40 Native groups call the greater Bay Area their home. We offer our thanks for the opportunity to live and work on their traditional homeland.

Santa Clara County (the county in which Stanford resides) is currently reviewing permits for a 320-acre open-pit sand and gravel mine in an area near Gilroy, CA known as Juristac, which are sacred grounds of the Amah Mutsun Tribal Band. The Amah Mutsun are steadfastly opposed to the mine and see the mine as a threat to their cultural survival. As of mid-December 2021, Santa Clara County is expected to release its environmental impact report on the proposed mine in the coming weeks. Once the impact report is released, there will be a 60 day public comment period, during which Santa Clara County community members can comment on the proposed mine and support the Amah Mutsun's efforts to protect this culturally and ecologically valuable land.

Here are some resources to learn more:

• http://amahmutsun.org/history
• http://www.protectjuristac.org/
• https://sanjosespotlight.com/proposed-mine-near-gilroy-a-human-rights-issue-says-santa-clara-county-commission/
• https://plandev.sccgov.org/policies-programs/surface-mining-and-reclamation-act-smara/sargent-quarry-project

Our Aims

1. Recruit and promote people from diverse and intersectional backgrounds, perspectives, and life experiences in the sciences.
2. Build and sustain an inclusive, respectful, and supportive community and space.
3. Practice open, transparent, and accessible science.
4. Fairly represent and promote the collective views of the group and who can hold knowledge.