We are an inclusive community of social and data science researchers, educators, and scholars interested in empowering one another and our shared mission.
We seek to communicate our research findings in a clear and concise manner to public and academic audiences. Our members have competencies in research design, data analytics, qualitative scholarship, and academic writing. Consider hiring a member of our team!
The O/R Lab works to directly support students from backgrounds historically excluded from the academy using a mentor and stewardship model. Students and faculty work in tandem to produce data while following rigorous and ethical research practices. Our Values
Open-mindedness
We approach questions with an open mind, knowing that any project we take on will be done to the best of our abilities. We are honest, confident, and proud to do ethical work, holding a higher standard for ourselves than any of our reviewers. Although projects we’ve taken on have been described as “near-impossible,” we’re proud of our ability to tackle challenging projects while staying positive and motivated. We encourage bold, unconventional ideas and hope to maintain an environment in which scholars feel comfortable and empowered to share their ideas.
Collaboration
We are flexible and adaptable, evolving with the needs of the team, project, and research lab in the present moment. We are not all-knowing and require an inclusive community of scholars to creatively solve seemingly impossible questions. We learn from other disciplines, reach out to external organizations, and bring on new team members to strengthen and inform our work. We emphasize the importance of working together and creating peer feedback.
Vulnerability
We do not hide our limitations or cover our failures. We recognize faults without putting down ourselves or our work. In this project, we celebrate found mistakes to create a safe environment in which chances for learning, growth, and improvement are normalized. We give people the benefit of the doubt and the time needed to improve based on feedback and constructive criticism.
Accountability
We do not cut corners, oversell, or exaggerate our results. It is crucial to check egos at the door and honor scholars that have come before us via citations and acknowledgments. Our lab does not encourage a zero-sum game. We believe you can be successful while also being ethical, compassionate, intellectually generous, and a team player. We abide by the principle: If you are going to do something, do it right. We encourage members to be confident and proud of their work, while acknowledging limitations. Lab members hold each other accountable through coding reports, one-on-one check-in meetings, and by creating a space in which people feel comfortable sharing any concerns they may have which would impact the quality of work we are able to produce.
Empowerment
We build team structures with complementary skills and little hierarchy in regard to honest communication -- new researchers should feel as able to speak up as their project managers. This includes ensuring people feel encouraged, trusted, and valued. We invest in positive environments in which relationships between members are mutually beneficial and supportive. Without a doubt, we have found this to be the best way to produce confidence, self-motivation, and quality work.