Research Excellence through Integrity and Inclusivity
Equity and excellence are not opposing values. We believe the best science comes from diverse teams working together in environments where they feel safe to be themselves, ask hard questions, and support one another. That’s what we strive to build here—every day.
In our lab, we are committed to cultivating a research environment that is inclusive, supportive and grounded in mutual respect. We recognise that systemic inequalities—whether based on race, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, nationality or socioeconomic background—continue to shape who feels welcome, heard and able to thrive in academic spaces. We believe it is our responsibility not only to acknowledge these realities but to actively work against them in the way we run our lab and engage with the broader scientific community.
Bias—whether unconscious or overt—can isolate individuals and create invisible barriers to success. That’s why we approach mentorship, leadership and collaboration with intentionality. We promote open communication, model the respectful use of pronouns and create lab social environments where everyone is considered. As an international team, building a culture of trust and belonging isn’t optional—it’s essential. If you decide to join our lab, you will take part on our unconscious bias training.
We also believe in transparency and shared growth. All lab members have access to all raw data and protocols; everyone is encouraged to speak up, ask questions and take ownership of their work. Mistakes are treated as part of the learning process. We explicitly reject shame-based or hierarchical lab cultures and instead aim to create a space where curiosity and compassion are equally valued. Everyone in our team is expected to adhere to the highest standards of research integrity.
Our commitment extends beyond the lab bench. Through our involvement with the Microbiology Society, we’ve worked to elevate LGBTQ+ voices in science, create platforms for dialogue and advise on national-level equity and inclusion practices. These experiences have deeply influenced how we lead: through empathy, accountability and ongoing reflection. We also recognise that access to opportunity is not evenly distributed. To help close those gaps, we provide clear mentorship around funding, publishing and career development—particularly for early-career researchers who may not have prior exposure to these systems.