Code of Conduct

*DRAFT* Code of Conduct

Note that we will be voting to ratify this agreement formally at the start of the IUSSI 2022 Congress. We encourage you to read through the document ahead of time.


IUSSI Code of Conduct for Conference Attendees

IUSSI believes the best science and innovation is done in a supportive, collaborative, and creative environment. In order to ensure a good working environment for all participants, IUSSI has developed this code of conduct to share our community expectations for all attendees, including, but not limited to, members, meeting participants (volunteers, exhibitors and service providers) and IUSSI organizers at international IUSSI meetings. We rely on all IUSSI community members to engage in creating an empowering, inclusive, and safe environment for all.


1.0 Code of conduct for conference participants

All attendees are expected to abide by this IUSSI Meetings Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to all International IUSSI meeting-related events, including those sponsored by organizations other than IUSSI but held in conjunction with IUSSI events, in public or private facilities. Individual sections may adopt their own code of conduct for regional meetings.


1.1 Expected Behavior

  • All attendees are to be treated with respect and consideration.
  • Public critique should be of ideas rather than individuals.
  • Avoid personal attacks directed toward other attendees, participants, IUSSI organizers, and suppliers/vendors.
  • Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert IUSSI organizers if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
  • Respect the rules and policies of the meeting venue, hotels, IUSSI contracted facility, or any other venue.
  • Only use images in talks or presentations with permission of the copyright holder.
  • Acknowledge those who collected data presented.

1.2 Unacceptable Behavior

  • Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
  • Physical or verbal abuse of any participant.
  • Disruption of talks at oral or poster sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by IUSSI at the meeting venue, hotels, or other IUSSI-contracted facilities.

Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin; inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations; exclusion of transgender or intersex individuals; or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, IUSSI organizers member, service provider, or other meeting guest.


1.3 Reporting Unacceptable Behavior:

  • If you are the subject of unacceptable behavior or have witnessed any such behavior, please immediately notify a harassment designee.
  • It is the responsibility of conference organisers to hire, find volunteers, or nominate designated people to receive and handle reports of harassment and unacceptable behaviour. The organisers will ensure these reporters are approachable and are effectively trained to handle such reports.
  • Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety is advised to contact the police and local security

1.4 Consequences

  • Each situation will be dealt with on an individual basis based on the specific situation.
  • Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.
  • IUSSI organizers or security may take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund.
  • IUSSI reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting.
  • Behavior that constitutes a criminal offence will be reported to the police.


2.0 Photography

IUSSI adheres to an opt out policy for photography and recording. Anyone participating in IUSSI events may be recorded, and these recordings may be shared on social media. This is an important part of sharing our science with people outside the event who are interested but unable to attend. If you do not wish to have recordings (photographic, video, or audio) taken during your talk, please announce this verbally or by making a slide to emphasize to your audience, or hang a prominent notice by your poster using the figure here.



*This Code of Conduct was heavily influenced by other codes of conduct from: The American Geophysical Union, Entomological Society of America, and ESRI Inc.
IUSSI Code of Conduct by IUSSI Code of Conduct Committee is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.