Pilot Labs that Work
Labs that Work for Everyone
After a successful completion in 2022, the Labs That Work For Everyone program has been significantly enhanced based on invaluable feedback from several pioneering HHMI labs and other groups.
Now, we're excited to introduce the revised curriculum, designed to foster a thriving, functional lab environment.
Labs that Work for Everyone (LTW)
NCPRE has developed a modular leadership/professional development program— called Labs that Work for Everyone—for Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI), with each module based around one or more common dilemmas that researchers face in a lab environment. In today’s world, research endeavors require more than just “good science.” They require strong lab leaders and lab members who are able to collaborate at the highest levels for team science. Scientists must—to the best of their abilities—successfully navigate the pitfalls and problems that are inherent in team settings. LTW is designed to support researchers as they navigate the challenges that arise in a lab-based setting.
LTW is an online program that has both synchronous and asynchronous components. Participants watch a movie, supplemental videos, and complete logbook activities for each episode contained in the program. Based on preferences of a particular lab, lab leaders and members meet to discuss the content after each episode or each Act of the feature film.
LTW is a professional development program that centers around a feature film (A Tale of Two Labs) that depicts a troubled collaboration between a biology and a chemistry lab. The feature film was specifically developed to reflect scientists' real experiences, and presents relatable scenarios that lab members and leaders can view and discuss together. The feature film also illustrates the use of specific professional development skills that are further developed with supplemental videos and practical application exercises.
The LTW program provides scientific leaders meaningful, tailored curriculum designed to support ethical laboratory and scientific practices, to improve cultural awareness, and to be able to lead effectively lab members. LTW aims to provide lab members with skills to help them achieve productive careers within a complex, competitive, and challenging research environment.
How much time does it take to complete LTW?
This program takes about 15 hours to complete. The program is presented in 3 Acts divided into episodes.
There are 26 episodes across the three acts, each of which should take no longer than 15-30 minutes to
complete. The lab and/or group will meet a few times over the course of the program for a discussion to share
their reflections and to practice skills.*
The curriculum spans a period of weeks, so there is time for reflection and assimilation as the course
progresses. This approach to professional development is rooted in adult learning research, and is designed for
lasting, engaging, and meaningful personal growth to support cultures of excellence in lab science. Labs can
choose how long to give participants to complete each act, so the full program should take 2-4 months.
*Individuals completing the program alone will skip the group discussion component
The Process
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Kickstart with the CARES+ Pre-Survey: Dive into a comprehensive assessment of your lab’s interpersonal dynamics and leadership skills.
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Embark on the Pilot: Take part in the Labs That Work…For Everyone Cultures of Excellence module, designed to elevate your lab’s culture.
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Host a Kickoff Meeting: Gather your lab group for an introductory session to discuss the program and optionally watch the feature film together.
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Dive into Act 1: Lab members will independently complete the first act of the program. Then, reconvene for a discussion using our facilitator materials.
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Continue the Journey with Acts 2 and 3: Repeat the process for the second and third acts
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Reflect: Conclude the program with a thoughtful group discussion about your collective experience and achievements.
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Complete the CARES+ Post-Survey: Take the CARES+ survey again after completing the program to see if anything about your environment changed.
- Share Your Story: Nominate a few lab members to participate in a semi-structured interview, sharing your unique journey and insights with us.
Note: Individuals completing the program independently will skip the CARES+ pre/post surveys and the group discussions.
Interested?
If you and your lab would like to participate in this pilot, please click the contact button below or contact Jacob Ryder directly.