What role do values play in science? While science is often seen as an objective pursuit, values shape every step of the research process—from the questions we ask to the way we collaborate. A newly published paper, Unleash the power of values: how to conduct better science and cultivate thriving research groups, explores this idea in depth, offering practical tools to integrate values into scientific work.

The paper’s origins trace back to an innovative capstone project completed by fellows and alumni of the Interfaces of Global Change (IGC) program. The capstone centered around Learning to Engage with Values in Science, a workshop designed to help fellows reflect on their core values and explore how these influence their research.

Now, this collaboration has come full circle, uniting IGC fellows and alumni to publish a resource for scientists who want to build more intentional, inclusive, and impactful research practices.

 

From Capstone to Published Paper

In April 2023, the IGC fellows behind the capstone project connected with IGC alum Dr. Laura Schoenle at the IGC Graduate Research Symposium, where Schoenle served as the keynote speaker. This meeting brought together a network of fellows and alumni who shared an interest in exploring the intersection of values and science.

Following this meeting, they collaborated to transform the capstone’s insights into a published paper. Co-authored by Schoenle, IGC alum Dr. Caleb O’Brien, IGC alum Dr. Jennifer Brousseau, and IGC fellow Amber Wendler, the paper expands on the workshop’s themes, offering actionable guidance for researchers to integrate values into their work and foster inclusive, values-driven research environments.

 

Practical Tools for Researchers

The paper emphasizes that values are integral to the scientific process, influencing research questions, methodologies, and team dynamics. It provides researchers with tools to:

  • Reflect on and define core values

  • Incorporate values into research practices, from funding to dissemination

  • Foster a values-driven research culture through mentoring agreements and lab handbooks

By embedding values into their work, researchers can enhance their impact, improve group cohesion, and build more intentional and inclusive teams.

 

A Lasting Impact

This project and its resulting publication highlight the power of collaboration across disciplines. It shows how thoughtful reflection and dialogue can lead to meaningful contributions that benefit both science and society.

The full paper is available to read here.