EDI at the MSL

EDI at the MSL

We respectfully acknowledge that the Michael Smith Laboratories (MSL) and the UBC Vancouver campus are situated within the traditional, ancestral and unceded territory of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam).

MSL EDI Committee

The purpose of the MSL Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Committee is to foster a safe, equitable, and inclusive environment for everyone in the department, where people feel seen, heard and respected. 

As a committee, our goals include: 

  • Contributing to meaningful change that leads to a more just and accessible department. 
  • Delivering education and tools to empower people in their own EDI journeys. 
  • Providing direction and guidance to appropriate University resources. 
  • Valuing the importance and centering intersectionality*
    *intersectionality definition:”The interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity as they apply to a given individual or group. Intersectional identities create overlapping and interdependent systems of discrimination or disadvantage.” (UBC’s Equity & Inclusion Office)

We recognize and celebrate the fact that we are a diverse community at the Michael Smith Laboratories. The EDI committee welcomes nominations (including self-nominations) of new members at any point in time.We believe every person brings a unique array of lived experiences which we are always grateful to witness and learn from. We are happy to listen to feedback and suggestions, as we believe in the importance of simultaneously educating and learning.  

Feel free to explore the content and resources below:

2024 MSL Committee Members

Joerg Bohlmann (he/him) Faculty Rep
Ayşe Nisan Erdoğan (she/her) Graduate Student Rep
Freda Miller (she/her), Faculty Rep
Dave Ng (he/him), Faculty Rep
Emily Cooke (she/her) Staff Rep
Marissa Lithopoulos (she/her) Postdoc Rep
Lucia Quesada-Ramirez  (they/them), Staff Rep
Anne-Sophie Sack (she/her) Graduate Student Rep
William Stewart (he/him) Graduate Student Rep
Ryan Wong (he/him) Graduate Student Rep

What is a code of conduct?

Collectively, we share the responsibility for ensuring and maintaining an environment that is free from discrimination and harassment. To that end, we will continue to foster environments and learning that helps support these goals of creating an equitable and mutually supportive work environment.

A code of conduct is a document that outlines the rules, responsibilities, and expectations of acceptable behaviours of all individuals within an organization (1,2). This document allows for an inclusive working environment for all employees (3).  Codes of conduct are created to make clear that any form of discrimination and harassment in the workplace is not acceptable, and aim to provide all employees with equitable and equal opportunities (1,2).           

This code of conduct has been written by the MSL Code of Conduct Committee with input from the MSL EDI Committee.  In the future, the MSL EDI Committee will be responsible for modifying and approving changes to the Code of Conduct as needed and providing a plan for educating all MSL personnel on the Code of Conduct and related EDI policies. The EDI committee will also strive to provide the MSL community with guidance to available UBC resources both to encourage respectful behaviour and equitable outcomes, and to ensure that all MSL members know what avenues of recourse they have when they are subjected to discrimination/harassment/misconduct of any sort.

  1. J. Adams, A. Tashchian, and T. Shore, “Codes of Ethics as Signals for Ethical Behavior,” Fac. Publ., Feb. 2001.
  2. G. Wood and M. Rimmer, “Codes of Ethics: What Are They Really and What Should They Be?,” Int. J. Value-Based Manag., vol. 16, pp. 181–195, May 2003.
  3. B. Favaro et al., “Your Science Conference Should Have a Code of Conduct,” Front. Mar. Sci., vol. 3, 2016.

Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct definitions appendix

Necessity for Code of Conduct

UBC Wide EDI Resources

 

EDI at the MSL

EDI Related MSL Events

View Calendar

EDI at the MSL

Contact the MSL EDI Committee

The MSL Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) committee is made up of students, staff and faculty with the goal of making MSL an equitable place for all. We encourage suggestions and/or comments from all MSL members. This can include ideas for events, activities or anything that could further promote EDI at MSL. Please use the form below to contact the EDI committee. There is an option to submit the information anonymously or to provide your contact information if you would like to receive a follow-up.

The EDI committee is not involved in handling complaints about specific individuals. Please refer to this information on campus wide EDI resources for how to report concerns and where to find support at UBC.