2021 NSF Macrosystems PI Meeting Code of Conduct

This code of conduct outlines our expectations for participants of the NSF Macrosystems Biology Meeting, along with steps to reporting behavior that may violate these agreements. We are committed to working to provide a welcoming, safe, and inspiring community for all. To achieve this, we will need agreement from all participants to honor our code of conduct.

 Participation Guidelines

Our code of conduct includes the following guidelines and behavioral expectations which are essential for creating a welcoming and safe environment:

●  Sexual, and verbal harassment are unacceptable.  This includes derogatory comments, jokes, explicit language, or unwelcome contact outside of the conference environment. Treat people fairly and equally based on identity (e.g., race, gender, sexuality, age, class background, ability, religion, and more).

●  We expect participants to work together to create a welcoming, inclusive, and safe(r) environment for people from diverse backgrounds.

●  Ask for consent (i.e., permission) and respect people’s boundaries.

●  Civility and respect for others should be demonstrated through behavior, attitude, and language.

●  Be mindful of how much time and space you are taking up. Be aware of the dynamics of power and privilege, and whether you are taking advantage of it.

●  Accepting personal responsibility and accountability are the foundation of successful outcomes for individuals, teams, and the meeting.

●  No sharing materials that belong to someone else, unless you have their permission.

Anti-Harassment Policy

We value your participation. We do not tolerate harassment of any form. Community members asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Our Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy extend to all aspects of the meeting where individuals’ behavior affects the ability of others to participate. This includes conference hashtag on social media, interacting on conference-related platforms such as QUBESHub. All conference and community participants are subject to the anti-harassment policy.

Harassment Definitions

For purposes of this code of conduct, sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when such conduct interferes with an individual’s ability to participate in the meeting or creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.

Other harassment is defined as verbal or physical conduct that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual because of their race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, personal appearance, political affiliation, marital status, family responsibilities, veteran status, matriculation, disability, mental illness, neuro(a)typicality, or any other legally protected status, and that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for participation or unreasonably interferes with an individual’s ability to participate in the community.

We will not act on complaints regarding reverse-isms (e.g., reverse racism, reverse sexism), reasonable communication of boundaries (such as “leave me alone”), refusal to explain or debate topics, or criticism of ‘tone’ or oppressive behavior. 

Reporting Issues

If you experience or witness behavior that violates this code of conduct during the meeting, please submit a report directly to the head of the meeting’s organizing committee:

Dr. Sydne Record: srecord@brynmawr.edu, (801) 703-4653

In your report, please do your best to include:

●     Your contact information

●     Identifying information of the participant who has violated the code of conduct

●     The behavior that was in violation

●     The approximate time of the behavior

●     Where the code of conduct violation happened

●     The circumstances surrounding the incident

●     Other people involved in or witness to the incident

●     If you believe the incident is ongoing, please let us know

●     Any additional helpful information

 

How We Respond to Reports

Actions in response to reports can range from warnings with instructions on how to correct behavior that violated the code of conduct to immediate removal from the meeting events, online communities (e.g., email lists, community calls), and future engagement.

 

The following is a list of potential sanctions for anyone who violates the code of conduct, depending on the severity of the violation.

●     Warning the accused to cease their behavior and that further reports may result in sanctions

●     Ending a talk that violates the policy early

●     Not publishing the video, slides of a talk, or poster that violated the policy

●     Not allowing a speaker who violated the policy to give (further) talks or presentations at the event

●     Immediately ending any responsibilities and privileges the accused holds

●     Requiring that the accused immediately leave the event and not return

●     Being banned or blocked on online community platforms, e.g. reported on Twitter, removed from online community groups (e.g., the 2021 MSB PI Meeting QUBESHub)

●     Being reported to the proper authorities

 

Acknowledgement: This code was derived from the EDSIN’s and OpenCon’s Codes of Conduct.