Intimate Relationships Lab Diversity and Inclusion Mission Statement
In the Intimate Relationships Lab, we recognize that diversity is broad and encompasses a range of intersecting individual and cultural characteristics, including, but not limited to, sex assigned at birth, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, military veteran status, ability status, religious affiliation, and socioeconomic status. We take an integrative approach to understand how intersecting forms of systemic and structural oppression impact an individual’s lived experiences. The Intimate Relationships Lab is taking actionable steps toward an open understanding of diverse perspectives in several areas: Research We conduct collaborative research that is meant to support and empower communities who have faced, and are currently facing, marginalization, oppression and discrimination. Specifically:
- We are actively working toward disseminating our research findings back to the communities it impacts in ways that are accessible and helpful (e.g., through community-based talks; fact sheets).
- We are committed to supporting the scholarship of Black, Indigenous, and people of color (BIPOC), queer, and trans researchers, such as through integrating their work in our research products (e.g., grant applications, manuscripts).
- Our research is driven by a desire to reduce health disparities related to intimate partner violence, sexual assault, and substance use. As such, we promote clinically relevant research that can begin to address health disparities in marginalized groups.
- We strive to include community members in our research process, such as through, but not limited to, study and hypothesis generation, recruitment strategies, feedback on, and creation of, study documents, and inclusion on manuscripts.
Lab Environment/Lab Relationships We strive to treat all students and staff in the laboratory, including our community partners, as equals (regardless of position or time in the lab), where all opinions and beliefs are valued.
- We recognize that in lab relationships (e.g., student/staff; student-to-student; and particularly faculty/student-staff) relationships there are inherent power dynamics that can silence the voices of lab members and create an environment where lab members feel unsafe sharing their thoughts and opinions. Dr. Shorey is committed to creating an open environment in which all lab members feel safe and comfortable, bringing important concerns and perspectives to him and other lab members.
- We are committed to being a lab that is welcoming, affirming, and supportive of people’s unique identities and experiences, with paramount importance given to the health and well-being of lab members. This means:
- Having open conversations (e.g., during weekly lab meetings) about people’s unique identities and experiences, including microaggressions and negative experiences that happen within and outside UWM.
- Working to provide necessary accommodations (e.g., time off for religious observances; support and resources for parenting students; assistance and advocacy for students who are seeking accommodations in courses and within the lab).
- Affirming people’s gender identity and sexual orientation, understanding that these may change and evolve over time, and ensuring their safety in the lab.
- Welcoming students (undergraduate and graduate) and staff and learning from those with lived experiences different from our own.