Code of Conduct
Terrestrial Ecology Lab
Version: 1.0 Effective Date: Jan 15, 2026
Applies To: All members of the lab: MSc and PhD students, postdocs, research assistants, volunteers, visiting scholars, and collaborators. All members are required to review this document thoroughly and provide their signature as a formal acknowledgment of full compliance with its provisions.
0. Aim of the Research Lab
Our lab is dedicated to conducting and publishing high-quality ecological research focused on terrestrial environments. In addition to scientific excellence, we are committed to supporting and mentoring young researchers on their scientific and professional journeys. We foster a collaborative, inclusive, and ethical research environment that values learning, curiosity, integrity, and impact.
1. Purpose and Scope
This Code of Conduct sets the expectations for professional behavior, ethics, and interpersonal respect within our lab. Our lab is a professional workspace, not a leisure space. It is essential that all members contribute to a positive, safe, and productive research environment. If not, they cannot be part of the group.
2. Core Values
We commit to:
● adherence to ethical and rigorous scientific practices,
● a collaborative culture of mentorship, responsibility, and openness,
● maintenance of a safe, professional, and equitable workplace,
● respect for human dignity, diversity, and inclusion.
3. Workplace Conduct and Expectations
All lab members are expected to:
● treat others respectfully regardless of academic status, background, or identity,
● recognize that the lab is a professional and shared environment, not a personal or social space,
● maintain a clean, quiet, and organized work area,
● limit disruptive activities (e.g., loud music, personal calls); use shared spaces responsibly, and use headphones when necessary,
● show up prepared and on time for lab meetings, fieldwork, and collaborative activities,
● acknowledge the experience, knowledge, interest and skills of others, and foster a supportive environment for peers and junior members.
4. Health and Safety
All members must:
● follow all lab and field safety rules,
● report unsafe conditions, injuries, or incidents immediately,
● avoid bringing unauthorized food, drink into work areas,
● keep exits and equipment areas clear at all times,
● use opportunities to participate in safety and first-aid trainings,
● check-in regularly with each other to ensure psychological well-being during intensive field seasons,
● stop fieldwork if they feel unsafe.
5. Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI)
We actively work to:
● foster an environment of inclusivity and psychological safety
● provide equal access to opportunities, support, and resources
● accommodate personal and medical needs where possible
● address microaggressions, bias, and discriminatory behavior when they arise
6. Ethical Research and Academic Integrity
All members are expected to:
● respect all people and living things around study sites during fieldworks and give no harm,
● not share sensitive information related to the fieldwork such as locations of andangered species, animals subjected to illegal hunting, etc
● similarly not share unpublished research, other’s research findings or ideas with third parties or on social media,
● avoid plagiarism, data manipulation, or unethical research practices
● maintain accurate, honest records of data, methods, and analyses
● seek ethical approvals for studies involving human or animal subjects
● store and manage data securely and transparently
● consult PI for important scientific decisions and follow her guidance
● disclose any conflicts of interest
Please also make use of METU’s Code of ethics: https://www.metu.edu.tr/code-ethics-core-values
7. Use of Resources and Shared Equipment
All lab resources are shared and must be:
● used only by trained personnel,
● scheduled fairly using lab calendars or booking systems,
● cleaned and returned to the proper state after use,
● reported promptly if broken, missing, or misused,
8. Unacceptable Behavior
The following will not be tolerated:
● Harassment, bullying, intimidation, or exclusion,
● Discrimination on any basis (gender, race, disability, etc.),
● Retaliation against individuals who report misconduct,
● Violations of privacy, confidentiality, or intellectual property,
● Abuse of power, especially by those in senior positions.
9. Conflict Resolution and Reporting Misconduct
If you witness or experience misconduct:
● speak to the PI.
● Reports will be handled confidentially, respectfully, and without retaliation
● Informal resolution is encouraged for minor disputes, but serious violations will follow institutional disciplinary procedures
● In case you seek for support from METU’s related offices, feel free to contact:
Office of Disability Support: https://engelsiz.metu.edu.tr/en
Ayna Clinical Psychology Unit: https://ayna.metu.edu.tr/en/
CİTÖB The Office for Promoting Gender Equality and Preventing Sexual Harassment: https://citob.metu.edu.tr/tr
10. Work-Life Balance and Wellbeing
We support:
● reasonable working hours and personal boundaries,
● regular breaks and respect for personal time,
● open communication about workloads. Burnouts are not welcomed.
● use of institutional support services for mental or physical health.
11. Responsibilities of Leadership
Senior lab members, including the PI, postdocs, and PhD students are expected to:
● model ethical and respectful behavior,
● provide mentorship, feedback, and fair opportunities,
● be responsive to concerns raised by lab members,
● support career development and professional growth.
12. Authorship and Contribution Guidelines
We follow international and institutional standards for authorship. Authorship is earned, not automatically granted.
To qualify for authorship, a lab member must meet all of the following criteria:
● Substantial contributions to the conception/design of the study; or acquisition, analysis, or interpretation of data
● Active participation in drafting or revising the manuscript for intellectual content
● Final approval of the version to be published
● Agreement to be accountable for their contributions and to answer questions related to the accuracy or integrity of any part of the work
● Persons who provide at least 20% of the dataset should be invited to be an author.
● Students can use AI to improve their skills but it is not acceptable to ask AI write parts of thesis or ask it to conduct part of your analyses. Be aware that cop-pasted material for AI is an issue of plagiarism. Please refer to YÖK’s guideline about the use of AI in research and publications: https://proje.yok.gov.tr/documentFiles/17539645334.Yükseköğretimde%20üretken%20yapay%20zeka%20kullanımı-tr.pdf
Being excluded from authorship may occur if:
● The contribution is limited to funding acquisition, general supervision, or data collection without intellectual input
● The person did not participate in writing, reviewing, or approving the final manuscript
● A contributor chooses not to take responsibility for the work
Other principles:
● The first author should reflect the individual with the greatest intellectual and practical contribution
● Order of authors will be discussed early and revisited during the project
● The corresponding author is responsible for manuscript submission and handling revisions
● Disagreements will be mediated by the PI.
All lab members are encouraged to have early, clear discussions about authorship on any collaborative project to avoid misunderstandings.
13. Acknowledgment and Updates
Suggestions for improvement are welcome and can be submitted anonymously if preferred.
Every lab member must read, acknowledge and SIGN this Code upon joining
The Code will be reviewed annually and updated as needed.