UNM launches first-ever Research Safety Week

The University of New Mexico hosts its first Research Safety Week, a campuswide initiative designed to promote a strong, proactive culture of safety across UNM's research community.

Organized by Environmental Health and Safety, Research Safety Week will be held Tuesday-Thursday, Feb. 10-12. The event brings together researchers, students, staff and campus partners to highlight best practices, strengthen safety awareness and reinforce the university's commitment to responsible and innovative research.

"Research Safety Week is UNM's first campuswide initiative dedicated to promoting a strong and proactive culture of safety within the research community," said Itohan C. Egbedion, UNM's research safety manager. "It brings together researchers, students, staff and campus partners to highlight best practices, strengthen safety awareness and celebrate our collective commitment to responsible and innovative research."

Throughout the week, attendees can participate in a range of educational and interactive events focused on research safety, risk management and compliance. Programming includes expert-led keynote sessions and panel discussions, along with hands-on workshops and training covering topics such as cryogenic safety, laser safety, field safety, personal protective equipment use and respirator fit testing.

Participants can also take part in lab tours showcasing engineering controls and safety systems, as well as networking opportunities with researchers, safety professionals and campus units. The week will feature prizes and awards, including laboratory safety gear and cash prizes, along with free resources aimed at strengthening safety practices in lab and field environments.

"Our goal is to equip the University of New Mexico's research community with the knowledge, resources and best practices necessary for responsible, ethical and sustainable research," Egbedion said.

Research Safety Week is designed to be inclusive of all research disciplines, from STEM fields to the arts, humanities, health sciences, engineering and community-based research. Organizers emphasize that safety is a shared responsibility that extends across all forms of scholarship and creative work.

In addition to the week's scheduled events, Research Safety Week serves as a launch point for ongoing safety initiatives and collaborations that will continue beyond the week, reinforcing long-term engagement with research safety across campus.

More information, including a full schedule of events, is available on the Environmental Health and Safety website.