Join CoLAB

We invite you to become part of the Collaborative for Animal Behavior (CoLAB)! Our community thrives on the diverse expertise, creativity, and enthusiasm of faculty, postdoctoral researchers, graduate students, staff, and technicians from across the University of Tennessee. 

Membership in CoLAB is open to all members of the UT academic community. Whether you teach, conduct research, mentor students, or support our programs, there is a place for you here. 

Below are our three membership categories—please read each description carefully and select the one that best fits your role when you complete the membership request form.

Voting Member

Voting Members shape the direction of CoLAB by voting on key matters such as rules, hiring, and policy decisions. They are eligible to apply for funding support from CoLAB (as available). Voting Members are expected to participate actively in the Center’s activities, including events like our annual regional conference, Spring open house, and CoLAB-sponsored seminars and colloquia. They may also be asked to assist with graduate student and faculty recruitment when relevant. Voting Members will be listed on the CoLAB website. Those who do not participate in CoLAB programming for two consecutive years will be converted to Non-Voting Affiliate status. Eligible: faculty, staff, and technicians. 

Non-Voting Member / Affiliate

Affiliates stay connected with CoLAB and its programs but do not vote on Center business. Affiliates are added to our listserv to receive updates and invitations. Affiliates may request to become Voting Members at any time, subject to steering committee approval. Examples of active participation include teaching an Animal Behavior course or serving on a Center committee. Voting Members who become inactive for two years will be converted to Affiliate status. 

Early Career Researcher / Student Member

This category is for postdoctoral researchers and graduate students who want to engage with CoLAB’s collaborative community. Student members can help organize our regional conference, must attend at least two CoLAB events each year, and are eligible for student awards—including CoLAB Fellowships, travel grants, and other opportunities supported by our alumni network. They also gain access to meeting with distinguished guest speakers. Note: Your advising faculty does not need to be a CoLAB member for you to join! 

How to Apply

Ready to join? Please complete our membership request form. 

All requests for membership—whether Faculty, Staff, or Student—are reviewed by the CoLAB Steering Committee. A majority yes vote is required for membership at any level. 

We look forward to collaborating with you!