Rooted in Compassion: Learning Lab Ethics of Care

Abstract

The Learning Lab internship at the University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Center employs a student-centered approach that provides the basis for students discovering their true academic selves through primary source research. The cohort of approximately 10 interns form a team environment that, at turns, encourages, inspires, and motivates the team. A contributing element to this ethics of care is the application of "rose and thorn" at the beginning of every weekly meeting. This very simple exercise that asks the question of what has gone well this week (the rose) and what has not gone as well (the thorn) has clearly impacted students since its employment during the pandemic. It has been so successful that it is still used today in the internship program. This presentation will explore the genesis of this experiment and observations on why it works so well to quickly form relationships, understanding, and compassion.