The SAFE Labs Handbook as a tool for improving lab culture

Creating positive and equitable lab environments has become a growing priority for the scientific community and funders of scientific research. Research institutions typically respond to this need by providing mandatory or optional training opportunities for their staff. However, there are limited resources for group leaders to improve the culture in their labs. Here, we introduce the SAFE Labs Handbook: a collection of 30 “commitments” that can be implemented by individual group leaders to improve research culture in the life sciences. The commitments were collaboratively developed by 13 group leaders working in eight different European countries. We also report the results of a survey in which we asked more than 200 researchers, at various career stages, about the commitments. Even though all 30 commitments were rated as significantly important by respondents, implementation rates were notably low (<25%). However, more than 95% of group leaders said they would consider implementing them. The SAFE Labs Handbook therefore represents a unique, community-driven tool with the potential to improve lab culture on a global scale.