Our values reflect what is important to the Inclusive Economy Lab and guide how we think about and conduct our work. Importantly, the values are both reflexive and aspirational: We have identified these values as central to the work that we do, but acknowledge that there is always room for improvement and growth as we aim to live them out.

All Inclusive Economy Lab staff and leadership contributed to developing the values in May 2019 through an iterative process, ultimately landing on these five:

	Foster lasting relationships We collaborate with policymakers, practitioners, and people with lived experience to understand their perspectives and figure out what works.
	Conduct science in service of cities We feel a sense of urgency to do research that improves people’s lives. We select projects that lead to solutions for policy, practice, and increased investments on the ground. Our research is rigorous and informed by the historic contexts that shape life in American cities.
	Check our privilege We recognize the power and privilege we have as researchers at the University of Chicago. We practice humility, recognize that expertise comes in many forms, and know that there are limits to our own.
	Elevate equity & inclusion We hire people with a range of personal and professional backgrounds, skillsets, and identities. We expand access to evaluation for a broad range of organizations, and we conduct work that affirms the dignity of all people.
	Embrace a growth mindset We invest in our people and develop our skills and content knowledge together. We work respectfully as a team to achieve our shared goals.

The values are meant to inform and guide all our work, from partner interaction to hiring practices to how we think about and discuss our projects. Some of our current efforts to center and elevate our values include monthly all-staff discussions about issues of equity as they pertain to our work, regularly acknowledging staff for living out the values through their work, and incorporating values into staff expectations and feedback. 

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