ISAD 2023 CONFERENCE CODE OF CONDUCT

1. Introduction:

The purpose of this policy is to address the conduct expected of ISAD 2023 Conference participants and to outline steps that may be taken when conduct does not align with expectations. For purposes of this policy, “participant” is defined as any individual registered attendee, speaker, organizer, staff, sponsor, or guest associated with official ISAD 2023 Conference.

ISAD is committed to fostering a welcoming environment that is safe, collaborative, and productive for dialogue and discovery for all participants regardless of sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, perceived disability, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by laws. ISAD strives to create an equitable environment where diverse voices are active in all aspects of our society. This necessitates a culture of inclusion, in which all individuals feel respected and are treated fairly.  ISAD does not tolerate discrimination or any form of harassment and is committed to enforcing this Code of Conduct (the “Code”) at ISAD Conference. 

All who register to participate, attend, speak at, or sponsor ISAD 2023 Conference agree to comply with the Code.

2. Harassment Defined:

Harassment includes verbal, physical, and visual conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment. Harassing conduct can take many forms and includes, but is not limited to, the following: slurs, epithets, derogatory comments, insults, degrading or obscene words, jokes, bullying, demeaning statements, offensive gestures, or displaying derogatory or demeaning pictures, drawings, or cartoons based upon an individual’s sex, race, colour, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, perceived disability, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by law.

Sexually harassing conduct in particular includes all of these prohibited actions, as well as other unwelcome conduct that is sexual in nature, such as unwanted sexual advances; lewd propositions or innuendos; leering; making sexual gestures; making sexually suggestive or graphic comments or engaging in inappropriate sexually-oriented conversation; displaying sexually suggestive objects, graphics, pictures, or posters, whether physically or over the Internet; making or using derogatory comments, epithets, slurs or jokes; the sexual touching or display of one’s own body; or unwanted physical touching or assault, as well as impeding or blocking movements.

Retaliation for complaints of inappropriate conduct or harassment are also considered harassment and will not be tolerated. Retaliatory behaviour in connection with ISAD Conference will be investigated in a similar manner to initial complaints.

3. Prohibited Conduct:

Prohibited conduct at ISAD Conference includes, but is not limited to:

• harassment based on sex, race, colour, personal appearance, national origin, religion, age, physical disability, mental disability, perceived disability, ancestry, marital status, sexual orientation, or any other basis protected by federal or pertinent state laws.
• demeaning comments or harassment about a person’s professional status, qualifications, or affiliations.
• sexual harassment, as defined in Section 2
• abusive conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with another person’s ability to benefit from and enjoy or participate in the meeting, including social events related to the meeting and sponsored by ISAD;
• undue or excessive interruption of any event, speaker, or session; and
• violence or threats of violence.

ISAD reserves the right to discipline participants who engage in any inappropriate conduct, even if it is not specifically referred to or defined in this Code or is not legally actionable as sexual or any other form of harassment.

4. Reporting an Incident:

Participants or other individuals, who witness or experience inappropriate conduct at ISAD Conference should report such conduct immediately to Caroline Loveland at caroline.loveland@kcl.ac.uk. Any individual reporting such conduct is not required or expected to discuss the concern with the alleged offender.

ISAD cannot address claimed inappropriate conduct or harassment unless the claims are brought to the attention of ISAD leadership. Participants are encouraged to report any incidents of perceived violations of this policy as quickly as they can or otherwise feel safe doing.

5. Investigation:

ISAD Organising Committee will promptly and impartially investigate the facts and circumstances of any claim of inappropriate conduct or harassment under this policy. ISAD will make every effort to keep the reporting individual’s concerns confidential and will not deliberately share personal information, other than as necessary to carry out the purpose of investigation.

ISAD or a designated independent consultant generally will do the following (as necessary) to decide as to appropriate action:

• document the nature of the complaint.
• interview the complainant and the person who is the object of discrimination or harassment if the complainant is a witness.
• conduct further interviews as necessary, such as with witnesses and, at an appropriate time, the alleged offender.
• document the ISAD’s findings regarding the complaint.
• document recommended follow-up actions and remedies, if warranted; and
• inform the complainant and the person who is the object of discrimination or harassment if the complainant is a witness of the basic nature of the ISAD’s findings

Upon completion of the investigation, ISAD will take appropriate corrective measures against any person who has engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy, if ISAD determines such measures are necessary. Such remedial action may include, but is not limited to, the items listed below in Section

6. Disciplinary Action:

If ISAD determines that an individual has engaged in prohibited conduct, ISAD shall determine the appropriate action to be taken, which may include, but is not limited to:

• private reprimand.
• removal from the Meeting and/or membership in the society without warning or monetary refund.
• implementation of conditions for attendance at future ISAD events
• restriction from participating in any future ISAD events or expulsion from ISAD

ISAD may, but is not required to, report any incident to proper authorities, including but not limited to law enforcement. Nothing in this policy shall restrict or discourage any individual who experiences or is the target of conduct prohibited by this policy from reporting such conduct to the authorities, to the extent he or she deems such a report advisable or necessary.

7. Attendance to Conference:

Only registered participants may attend the Conference; persons without a valid conference registration and/or ISAD membership will be removed from the Conference venue.

ISAD expects all participants to respect common sense rules for public behaviour, personal interaction, courtesy, and respect for private property.

ISAD reserves the right to modify, suspend, cancel, or restrict the participation when this becomes necessary or advisable for technical or security reasons.

ISAD ensures, to the extent reasonably possible, that the technical infrastructure for participation in the Conference is properly in place, secured and accessible for participants.

ISAD may decide at their own discretion, considering the potential impact on the decision-making process within the Conference, whether or not the Conference must be suspended or cancelled due to a technical failure, or proceed without the possibility for some or all participants to participate the Conference.