1. About

Community Statement

Community Statement:

In the Laboratory of Tree-Ring Research we believe in the inherent dignity and worth of every person, and we strive to create a welcoming and supportive community for anyone wishing to pursue the scientific study of tree-rings and their numerous interdisciplinary applications. We are committed to providing the workplace conditions that allow each member of the community to thrive, succeed, and reach their potential. We do not tolerate discrimination, harassment, or bullying. We recognize that humanity faces grand challenges in the 21st century and we believe in the power of science to better understand our world and address its problems. Science is propelled to its greatest achievements through the input of people from different backgrounds and perspectives; thus, we welcome, encourage and value you as an active part of our department. We recognize that there are long-standing disparities within higher education and society. Addressing these challenges calls for ongoing reflection, sustained collaboration, and a shared commitment to long-term investment in meaningful change.

On-going and planned actions:

  1. Following related University policies, procedures, and guidelines – and creating our own if we determine gaps or opportunities exist – in accordance with our commitment to furthering a working and learning environment for the professional advancement of current and future LTRR members and visitors in an unbiased, transparent, and fair manner.

  2. Evaluating and targeting outreach and instructional offering with renewed focus on communities that are underrepresented in STEM fields.

  3. Undertaking regular training in a range of areas such as bystander intervention, allyship, and safety training.

  4. Dedicating time, energy, and goodwill to widely and inclusively discuss and address challenges and opportunities within our department.

  5. Conducting searches for open positions using best practices including proactively seeking a wide, highly qualified applicant pool capable of bringing an expansive range of experiences and perspectives, and mitigating impacts of biases in the evaluation of candidates.

  6. Creating a supervisor-supervisee agreement to support healthy and effective work between graduate students and their supervisors. (linked here)

  7. Developing exhibits to be inclusively and hopefully impactfully experienced by an ever-growing percentage of the population.

  8. Committing to ongoing review of our standing, and hopeful progress in building a productive and supportive community.

Please share your suggestions, concerns, ideas and questions.

The LTRR and its members welcome all feedback – including concerns and suggestions – related to our goals of continually fostering a safe and fair working and learning environment where support is tailored to the needs of individuals from a range of backgrounds. For example, the LTRR Director, a faculty member, or a supervisor can all be approached. In case you have concerns that are related to potential harassment or discrimination, or if a higher degree of anonymity and confidentiality is preferred, the University of Arizona’s Office of Institutional Equity or Ombudsman Office should be contacted.

Land acknowledgement

We respectfully acknowledge the University of Arizona is on the land and territories of Indigenous peoples. Today, Arizona is home to 22 federally recognized tribes, with Tucson being home to the O’odham and the Yaqui. The University strives to build sustainable relationships with sovereign Native Nations and Indigenous communities through education offerings, partnerships, and community service.

We respectfully acknowledge that some techniques of Tree-Ring Research were developed using wood samples from the forests, homes, and ancestral sites of Indigenous peoples.