The 2025 SAFE Labs workshop
“Starting Aware Fair & Equitable Labs” is a meeting for principal investigators at the beginning of their research careers to provide a safe and open forum for exchange about starting a lab. Building a research group that is socially safe, equitable, fair and aware, and that produces great research, is challenging. SAFE Labs provides a space to exchange and learn from each other’s experiences.
The meeting brought together 14 researchers from 6 European countries to foster community, and better understand the common, and divergent, problems faced by starting researchers in different countries. There were no scientific talks as part of the programme. Instead, the discussions at the meeting were centred around building successful, equitable, fair, and environmentally sustainable labs.
The SAFE Labs workshop 2025 took place from 1 to 4 June on the Barcelona Riviera (AQUA Hotel Promenade & Spa, Pineda de Mar, Spain). The attendees actively shaped the meeting. Full-board accommodation was covered for all attendees, and travel costs could be (partially) reimbursed. The meeting was funded through University College London’s Global Engagement Fund and the Research Culture Seed Fund.
Photo "Platja dels Pescadors, 1" by Isidro Jabato, CC BY-SA 4.0, resized
What happened?
The programme was shaped by the attendees. In discussion groups and various formats, the meeting focused on building labs with positive research cultures. 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 1 June and left on the morning of 4 June.
Who attended?
SAFE Labs is designed to be an open and welcoming space for new principal investigators. The 2025 workshop was aimed at early-career group leaders who had established their labs within the past 1–6 years and gained initial experience supervising team members.
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 were particularly encouraged from groups underrepresented in the scientific community.
The 14 attendees are listed under “Workshop participants” on the home page, and the workshop’s organisers on the organisers page.
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?
Although some topics are common to all labs across the globe, others depend on 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.
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 below and you will be added to the SAFE Labs mailing list for news of future workshops.
Funding:
