IRIS Meetings - Code of Conduct

IRIS is committed to fostering the exchange of scientific ideas by providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all IRIS sponsored meeting participants, including but not limited to attendees, speakers, staff, volunteers, and vendors. We value the participation of every member of the community and want all participants to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience.

All participants at IRIS meetings are expected to abide by this IRIS Meeting Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to all IRIS meeting-related events. Behavior that is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another, so use discretion to be sure that respect is communicated.

In-Person Meeting - Expected Behavior

• All participants are treated with respect and consideration.
• Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative when communicating openly with others, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.
• Avoid personal attacks directed toward other attendees, participants, staff, and vendors.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert IRIS staff if you notice a dangerous situation.
• Respect the rules and policies of the meeting venue(s), hotels, contracted facilities, and other venues.

In-Person Meeting - Unacceptable Behavior

Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to:

• Physical, verbal, or sexual abuse of any kind.
• Threatening or stalking any participant.
• Making inappropriate comments whether verbal or digital related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), national origin, or other legally protected group status or characteristics.
• Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images or language in public spaces or in presentations.
• Harassment intended in a joking manner still constitutes unacceptable behavior.
• Disruptive behavior and/or interruption of discussions, presentation/events.
• Being under the excessive influence of alcohol or under the influence of any controlled dangerous drugs.
• Retaliation for reporting harassment is also a violation of this Code of Conduct, as is reporting an incident in bad faith.

Virtual Meeting – Expected Behavior

• Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions.
• Attempt collaboration before conflict.
• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
• Be mindful of your surroundings and your fellow participants. Alert IRIS staff if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this Code of Conduct, even if they seem inconsequential.
• Be mindful not to exert dominance over others.
• Follow the rules and policies of the virtual platform and/or IRIS.

Virtual Meeting – Unacceptable Behavior

Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to:

• No participant (including but not limited to speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff members, service providers, or any other meeting guest) should engage in harassment, intimidation, discrimination, or abuse in any form, via the virtual platform.
• Do not disrupt the meeting (e.g., Zoom-bombing or sustained or disrespectful disruption of presentations) or engage in harm or threats of harm of any kind. This includes inappropriate comments via chat messages, Q&A box, message boards, etc.
• Do not create/contribute to a safety threat, unsafe or exclusionary situation.
• Do not engage in stalking or unwelcome or surreptitious photography, screenshots, or recording of any participant.
• All participants must comply with the instructions of the hosts/moderators and any virtual event staff. Disruption of presentations or any other events organized by IRIS throughout the virtual meeting will not be tolerated.
• Making audio/visual recordings, copying, or taking screenshots of the virtual meeting, presentations, posters, Q&A, or any chat room activity that takes place in the virtual space is strictly prohibited, unless explicit permission is pre-approved by IRIS.
• IRIS reserves the right to remove any harassing messages/posts and potentially ban any participant(s) who we deem to be the source of such messages/postings.

Reporting Unacceptable Behavior

Any participant experiencing or witnessing behavior that at any time in their judgment constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety is advised to contact emergency services immediately (for hotel security, dial 0 from any house phone or 911) and to notify on- site meeting security and IRIS staff. For online events, please contact the IRIS meeting hosts in the chat or via email and IRIS Human Resources department at hr@iris.edu.