The Center for Synthesizing Quantum Coherence (CSQC) is a cutting-edge research enterprise whose collaboration represents a large and diverse community of graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff. We acknowledge the historical and current existence of societal barriers, which persist to varying degrees across academic institutions. We believe that establishing a set of core values and approaches toward promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion is critical for the success of the Center within and beyond the scientific community.
The CSQC involves collaboration across multiple universities throughout the nation. To sustain and promote this collaboration, the Center recognizes the importance of cross-institutional interactions among graduate students, postdocs, faculty, and staff. Due to geographical diversity, collaborators may reside in different time zones. The CSQC acknowledges the inherent complications and respects the working schedules of all collaborators. Additionally, addressing the geographical diversity, we recognize that different institutions were born in and grew from different cultures, so we must endeavor to ensure everyone is on the same page for community standards and rights.
The members of the CSQC acknowledge the privilege that accompanies professions within academia. Moreover, the CSQC recognizes that those with positions of power have the ability to actively leverage their power to create a more equitable workforce, community, and society at large. By upholding the values put forth by this statement, we aspire to use our privilege to elevate the voices and experiences of others, particularly those of individuals and groups that belong to underrepresented communities within and beyond STEM fields.
We commit ourselves as a Center and as individuals to actively support the diverse strengths we all bring to the table. The CSQC thus affirms the value of all individuals regardless of race, ethnicity, age, national origin, gender identity, communication style, sexual orientation, primary language, job position, as well as status with respect to immigration, socioeconomics, education, family structure, veteran experience, and medical conditions, including disabilities.
It is important that members of the CSQC remain accountable within and across research groups; if we see or hear any actions that are discriminatory and/or harmful to any person – within our lab, within the Center, at conferences, or in the classroom – we will support the person or the persons harmed in any way we can and work to not have similar actions repeated. We also recognize our responsibility towards the larger community, and we commit to be active in connecting and strengthening our ties to our local communities. We believe and emphasize that all individuals should have access and opportunities to pursue the career path of their choice. When drawing on resources outside of the Center, we commit to having our activities represent the demographics of the country, not just the demographics found in academia.
We commit ourselves to uphold these community values and ensure that all spaces Center-wide are safe for respectful discussion and collaboration. We strongly believe that an inclusive environment, where ideas can be discussed critically and respectfully, is fundamental for innovative science and for the mental and physical well-being of the collaborators.
This statement was written and approved by all members of the Center for Synthesizing Quantum Coherence as of July 1st, 2021.
