Healthy Environments in Academic Research Teams (HEART) is a certification program that supports research teams in their commitment to promoting healthier and more inclusive research environments. Teams can earn recognition for their commitment to cultivating a positive research culture through completing the program.
Below you will find the HEART framework, which is mapped against the Faculty of Medicine values and forms the basis of the HEART program. Our research with faculty, staff and trainees highlighted that healthy research environments is one in which everyone:
Complete online activities to prepare for team workshops.
Discuss team strengths and areas for improvement using our facilitation guide.
Complete modules delivered by partners across UBC.
Modules include online, self-paced content and live zoom workshops.
Create an action plan for promoting a healthy research environment using our facilitation guide.
Submit your action plan online and achieve team certification and a badge if all activities are completed.
Respect
- contributes to a psychologically safe environment where team members can express themselves, disagree, disclose difficulties and make mistakes
- models respectful behaviour outlined in UBC guidelines
- recognizes the diverse and ongoing contributions of all team members toward research goals
Integrity
- endeavors to provide and receive constructive feedback
- takes ownership of mistakes and personal development as part of the learning process
- responds to inappropriate or disrespectful behaviour using UBC guidance and reporting mechanisms
Compassion
- listens to, acknowledges and adapts to the needs and experiences of team members
- creates opportunities for team members to connect on a personal level, and integrates work and personal priorities
- models mental health literacy to support team members while maintaining appropriate boundaries
Collaboration
- regularly communicates and collaborates with team members on research outputs, problem-solving and skill development, reducing barriers to collaboration
- negotiates and agrees on clear roles, expectations and lines of accountability.
- provides effective mentorship and supports team members in achieving personal and professional goals
Equity
- recognizes and addresses personal and institutional biases and stereotypes in thinking and behaviours
- values, integrates and celebrates diverse perspectives, identities, experiences and ways of knowing
- engages in ongoing learning, discussion and action to advance equity, diversity and inclusion in the research environment
At the end of the HEART program, research teams will be able to:
- Describe the factors that influence a healthy research environment
- Describe their role in influencing a healthy research environment and identify development areas
- Participate in conversations about the research environment in a way that promotes safety, well-being and inclusion
- Develop actions to discuss, promote and evaluate a healthy research environment on an ongoing basis