Creative Strategies to Revitalize Your Laboratory Meetings

Scientists from various fields contributed a set of 22 recommendations aimed at energizing regular laboratory meetings. Techniques range from improv-style slide presentations, where a colleague presents unseen slides, to a “flashlight” round that lets each member share personal or professional highlights. Some groups meet outdoors to discuss research and career goals, while others use asynchronous comment platforms to give introverted members a voice.

Additional practices include short teaching segments on diverse topics, circulating detailed progress notes before meetings, sharing baked goods, and refining protocols for reproducibility. Open-door mentorship and a seven-second pause after questions are also suggested to lower hierarchy and boost participation. Collectively, these approaches seek to build community, enhance interdisciplinary understanding, and promote a culture where mistakes are openly discussed for continuous improvement.