Ways to build community in your psychology research lab?

[sanna927]

Hi everyone, my lab is trying to find ways to build community in our research lab. We are a small team and may be sticking to a part-time WFM schedule now that things seem to be re-opening again. With that, (and due to covid), we've been having trouble coming up with ways to build community, besides meeting once a month for lunch or a picnic outside. Any advice or suggestions on how you do it in your own lab would be well appreciated! Thank you!

[SocDevMum]

I think this is a universal struggle this year

We maintain a GroupMe chat group, that we use for social chatting as well, to encourage staying in contact. We've also done a couple of Zoom hang outs, playing games online or just getting to know each other. Our lab does a once-per-semester self care day, this last semester our PI sent a selection of teas to each lab member, and we got on Zoom to chat and play games. We're just trying to take advantage of technology as much as possible to keep everyone connected.