Conference Code of Conduct

Code of Conduct

We care about inclusive, safe and happy research-sharing spaces and as such we have a Code of Conduct which we expect all attendees, presenters and facilitators to abide by. This is applicable to both the sessions and the online space surrounding them (for example: the chat; more informal collaborative sessions; conference-related social media).

Harassment: please remember that everyone has a right to enjoy playing with ideas in a safe and non-sexual environment, and no-one should be sexualised without their consent. Remarks about gender, sexuality and any kind of physical appearance without consent are not acceptable or respectful. Take your lead from the person themselves and listen if someone tells you – with words or body language – that they are uncomfortable. Apologise if you have crossed a line. Please, pay particular attention to the fact that you may have biases which might prompt you to interrupt, override, over-explain to, or restate the ideas of those belonging to marginalised groups, and be extra careful not to do so.
Sensitivity: please be aware that some people are new to particular ideas, or see the world differently than you. Consider if your behaviour could be interpreted as dismissive, intimidating, silencing or off-putting to other members of our community. Everyone is welcome at our conference, whatever their level of experience or commitment to creative research. Only offer advice if it is wanted or asked for.
Good manners: please be courteous and respectful to one another. Every person has an equal right to contribute and to enjoy the conference. Please take particular note of pronouns, respect for accessibility needs, the right of individuals to keep their camera/microphone off if they wish, and the differing levels of familiarity we each bring to particular areas of research and research tools, as well as the technology which underpins the whole conference. Note in particular that when someone is unfamiliar with a particular tool this means that in practice they may require help to access ideas, which is an accessibility issue, and as such we would expect patience and kindness.
Good online hygiene: We know that people join online conferences with a variety of ‘distractors’ present: open computer windows that call tantalisingly to other work; children, partners, friends and pets that call out for attention; domestic chores; open documents; piles of paperwork on the desk; physical needs that demand care. We don’t expect that the conference is your only focus on the day, but that you do make it a focus and respect the time and effort of those who have spent many hours organising and planning the content. For some, it may be the first time they have spoken about their work or tried to grapple with certain ideas with an audience present, and we wish to honour this courage and welcome their efforts. For you, it may be that the ideas you are hearing about are new, exciting, and relevant, and this learning takes attention and thought. This means that planning your time so as to be as present as possible at the conference is important, whatever that means to you. Dropping out of the conference due to internet issues, making sure you are hydrating and comfortable, or needing to take a comfort break, is not at all a problem; attending the conference ‘with one ear’ while attempting to complete many other tasks may not be aligned with this goal of honouring and learning.

Breaching this Code of Conduct may result in:

a quiet conversation or private message with a member of the conference team
muting
removal from the online space
informing the police if deemed necessary, in extreme cases

We recognise that everyone makes mistakes and that sometimes pointing them out can feel uncomfortable and challenging, which is why in the first instance we will attempt where appropriate to respond with a quiet conversation or private message. We are all trying, and we all care about making our community an excellent one.

Thank you for your support.