The 2024 SAFE Labs workshop
“Starting Aware Fair & Equitable Labs” was a new meeting for principal investigators at the beginning of their research career. The importance of welfare, equity (both within and between research groups) and sustainability in academic science has become increasingly evident in recent years. However, related initiatives at conferences are often focused on established research groups even though they are less able to change their work environments or practices. SAFE Labs addressed this issue with a targeted meeting specifically for new group leaders.
The meeting brought together 13 group leaders in the biological sciences from 8 countries to benefit from each other’s experience, foster community, and better understand the common, and divergent, problems faced by new researchers in different countries. There were no scientific talks as part of the programme (there are plenty of meetings for that!). Instead, discussions were centred around building successful, equitable, fair, and environmentally sustainable labs.
SAFE Labs took place from 5 to 8 May 2024 at the Palazzone di Cortona. Accommodation at this beautiful residence was covered for all attendees. The meeting was funded through University College London’s Global Engagement Fund, and was organised with support from Prof. Franco Ligabue at Scuola Normale Superiore in Pisa.
Programme
The programme was shaped by the preferences of the attendees. Topics included:
- Recruitment
- Funding
- Equity and diversity
- Team management
- Sustainable research
- Institutional politics
- Career development
The meeting took place over 2 days (3 nights): attendees arrived on 5 May in time for dinner and left after breakfast on 8 May.
Who attended?
SAFE Labs was designed to be an open and welcoming space for new principal investigators. Applications from people who had been running an independent research group for less than 3 years were prioritised, though those who had run their group for longer but still considered themselves at the beginning of their research career were welcome to apply.
Attendees had started their own group, or had a confirmed position as an independent group leader, at the time of application. Applications were open to researchers based in any European country and working across the biological sciences, and were particularly encouraged from groups underrepresented in the scientific community.
The 13 attendees are listed under “Workshop participants” on the home page.
Location
The meeting was held at the Palazzone di Cortona, a Renaissance palace. Cortona is a small town in Tuscany, approximately 1 hour by train from Florence, or 2 hours from Rome, Siena, and Pisa. The Palazzone is located outside the ancient town walls, and is a short (1.5 km) walk from the centre of Cortona.
There are two railway stations, Terontola-Cortona and Camucia-Cortona, on the track from Florence to Rome, both connected to Cortona by bus. In support of making science more sustainable, attendees were encouraged to travel by train, and the organisers aimed to cover train travel but not flights.
Organisers
Philip (Pip) Coen
UCL, UK
Letizia Mariotti
IN-CNR, Italy
Stéphane Bugeon
INMED, France
Federico Rossi
IIT, Italy
FAQ
Could postdocs join?
No. However, people with a confirmed position to begin an independent group within the next year could apply.
Could people attend remotely?
Although we appreciate the benefits of remote attendance, we felt that it was not suited to the free-flowing and open discussions planned for this meeting, so all attendees were present in person for the full duration.
Why only Europe and the biological sciences?
Although some topics are common to all labs across the globe, others depend on the research area and/or geographic location (e.g. sustainability, conference attendance, funding, recruitment). For this reason, and because of the focused nature of the meeting, applicants were limited to Europe and the biological sciences.
Who designed your logo?
Our logo was custom-designed for SAFE Labs by Jaina Chavda.
Can I be notified about future SAFE Labs events or meetings?
Yes! Fill out the form on the home page and you will be added to the SAFE Labs mailing list for news of future workshops.