Standards of Appropriate Conference Behaviour PDF Download
Standards of Appropriate Conference Behaviour
(Will be a check box when registering online for conference)
Conference Code of Conduct Overview
This Conference Code of Conduct is intended to prevent incidents of harassment,
discrimination, and violence, and to maintain the high quality of scientific discourse that has
come to be expected of Science Atlantic-supported conferences.
Organizers of Science Atlantic-sponsored conferences are committed to providing a safe,
inclusive and productive meeting environment that fosters open dialogue and the exchange of
scientific ideas, promotes equal opportunities and treatment for all participants, and is free of
harassment and discrimination.
Participants agree to make every effort to maintain an environment that is free of harassment,
even though we do not control the behaviour of third parties. All registrants, guests, volunteers,
exhibitors, Science Atlantic Membership and staff, are expected to abide by this Conference
Code of Conduct at all venues, including ancillary events and official and unofficial social
gatherings.
Unacceptable Behaviour
Unacceptable behaviour includes (but is not limited to):
● intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning speech or
actions by any participant
● harmful or prejudicial verbal or written comments or visual images related to gender,
sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, age, appearance, or other personal
characteristics
● inappropriate or gratuitous use of nudity, sexual images, or stereotyped images in public
spaces (including presentation slides)
● deliberate intimidation, stalking or following
● sustained disruption of talks or other events
● unwelcome and uninvited attention or contact
● physical assault (including unwelcome touch or groping)
● real or implied threat of physical harm
● real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm
Retaliation for reporting unacceptable behavior is a violation of the Conference Code of Conduct
for Conference. Falsely reporting unacceptable behavior is a violation of the Conference Code
of Conduct.
The conference organizers and the Science Atlantic Board and staff reserve the right to enforce
this Conference Code of Conduct as appropriate. Anyone violating the Conference Code of
Conduct may be: (a) warned to cease the behavior and informed that any further reports will
result in more serious sanctions, (b) expelled from the conference (without refund), and/or (c)
prohibited from attending future conferences indefinitely or for a period of time, (d) removed
from membership in any or all of the partner societies involved in the Conference and (e) held
accountable through notification of the individual’s employer of the action taken regarding this
violation.
Conference organizers, host institutions, and Science Atlantic shall not be responsible for any
defamatory, offensive, or illegal conduct of Conference participants, and shall not be held liable
for personal injury, property damage, theft or damage of any kind suffered by the participants at
or in connection with the Conference. By registering for and attending the Conference, each
participant acknowledges that they have read this Disclaimer, and expressly releases the
organizations involved and their Board Directors, officers, or employees from any and all liability
in connection with Conference.
Procedure for Reporting a Code Violation
If you are being subjected to, or notice that someone else is being subjected to, behaviour that
violates this Code of Conduct, please contact a conference organizer immediately.
All complaints will be treated seriously and responded to promptly.
All reports are confidential.
If possible, provide the following information, preferably in writing:
● Identifying information (name/badge information, appearance) of the participant doing
the harassing
● The behavior that was in violation
● The approximate time of the behavior (if different than the time the report was made)
● The circumstances surrounding the incident
● Other people involved in or witnessing the incident
Anyone experiencing or witnessing behaviour that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to
public safety, or a criminal act is expected to contact 911. Those witnessing a potential criminal
act should also take actions necessary to maintain their own personal safety.