# Code of Conduct

The Rau lab is a collaborative team of scientists working together to advance knowledge and understanding of our natural world. We are committed to creating a welcoming and respectful place for learning, teaching, and contributing. We value ideas, open minds, hard work, and fun. All members and guests of our lab are expected to demonstrate respect and courtesy to others. We treat physical and emotional safety seriously.

The Rau lab is a positive and professional environment where we use welcoming and inclusive language, are respectful of different viewpoints and experiences, do our best to gracefully accept and provide professional constructive criticism, and focus on what is best for our lab community. _Science can be stressful and difficult_. Although you will experience frustrating and emotionally challenging days in the lab, continued courtesy and respect towards others is expected. If you falter, sincerely ask for forgiveness from your labmates.

We recognize that some groups in our community are subject to historical and ongoing discrimination and may be vulnerable or disadvantaged. Membership in such a specific group can be on the basis of characteristics such as citizenship, disability, ethnic or social origin, familial status, gender identity, nationality, physical appearance, pregnancy, race, religion/spiritual beliefs, sex, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, or veteran status. We do not tolerate harassment on the basis of these categories, or for any other reason. Harassment is any form of behavior that excludes, intimidates, or causes discomfort. We will not tolerate intimidation, stalking, following, unwanted photography or video recording\*, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. This applies within and outside of the lab.

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact Christoph Rau immediately. If Christoph is the cause of your concern and you do not feel comfortable talking to him directly, Tim Elston is a good informal point of contact. For official concerns, please see the University of North Carolina Ombuds office.  There is also as of 3/2024 a new online resource: [https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/80678/index.html](https://secure.ethicspoint.com/domain/media/en/gui/80678/index.html)

\*Ask for permission before posting candid photographs/videos of labmates to social media or in talks. If using a photo of a labmate in a talk to credit their work, use the photo they approved for the lab webpage or another professional social networking site, or otherwise ask for their permission.
