Code of conduct

Code of Conduct

Our conference is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices.

All attendees, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers at our conference are required to agree with the following code of conduct. Organizers will enforce this code throughout the event. We expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everybody.

The code of conduct applies to all conference activities including talks, panels, workshops, and social events. It extends to conference-specific exchanges on social media, for instance posts tagged with the identifier of the conference (#NeuroBioUK).

Organizers will enforce this code throughout and expect cooperation in ensuring a safe environment for all.

Expected behaviour

All conference participants agree to:

• Be considerate in language and actions, and respect the boundaries of fellow participants.

• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour and language. Please refer to 'Unacceptable Behaviour' (below) for more details.

• Alert a member of the organising committee if you notice someone in distress, or observe violations of this code of conduct, even if they seem inconsequential. Please refer to the section titled 'What To Do If You Witness or Are Subject To Unacceptable Behaviour' for more details.

Unacceptable Behaviour

Behaviour that is unacceptable includes, but is not limited to:

• Stalking

• Deliberate intimidation

• Unwanted photography or recording

• Sustained or willful disruption of talks or other events

• Use of sexual or discriminatory imagery, comments, or jokes

• Offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion or technology choices.

• Inappropriate physical contact, which can include grabbing, or massaging or hugging without consent.

• Unwelcome sexual attention, which can include inappropriate questions of a sexual nature, asking for sexual favours or repeatedly asking for dates or contact information.

• Sustained disruption of talks or other events.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. Even if your behaviour was meant to be friendly or a joke, it was clearly not taken that way and for the comfort of all conference attendees you should stop.

Attendees who behave in a manner deemed inappropriate are subject to actions listed under 'Procedure for Code of Conduct Violations'.

Additional Requirements for Conference Contributions

Presentation slides and posters should not contain offensive or sexualised material. Sexual language and imagery is generally not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks, presentations, workshops, social media or discussions. However, do note that we work on biological matters so work-related discussions of e.g. animal reproduction are appropriate.

Additional Requirements for Sponsors

Sponsors should not use sexualized images, activities, or other material. Booth staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualised clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualised environment. In case of violations, sanctions may be applied without return of sponsorship contribution.

Procedure for Code of Conduct Violations

The organising committee reserves the right to determine the appropriate response for all code of conduct violations. Potential responses include:

• a formal warning to stop harassing behaviour

• expulsion from the conference

• removal of sponsor displays or conference posters

• cancellation or early termination of talks or other contributions to the program

• contacting the offender's institution

Refunds will not be given in case of expulsion.

What To Do If You Witness or Are Subject To Unacceptable Behaviour

If a participant engages in harassing behaviour, the conference organisers may take any action they deem appropriate, including, but not limited to, warning the offender, expulsion from the conference with no refund and contacting the offender's institution.

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact any conference organisers immediately, either directly or via email, or contact local authorities immediately to report the incident, if the behaviour is criminal in nature.  

Information related to reported unacceptable behaviour will be handled confidentially, discreetly and promptly. Complaints will be timely investigated by the organisers or a third party on their behalf.

Need help?

​If you have any questions, please contact us.

Acknowledgements

​Content is adapted from confcodeofconduct.com and R project code of conduct for conferences.