Conference Code of Conduct

ACR reminds our members, participants, and stakeholders: Our conferences are convened for the purposes of sharing research, developing knowledge, and promoting career development for all. The harassment of others, especially those where an asymmetry of power exists (such as junior colleagues, doctoral students, or conference staff), undermines the principles of scholarship at the heart of our activities and is inconsistent with our ideals. Consequently, harassment is considered by ACR to be a serious form of professional misconduct.

The following policy statement outlines expectations for all those who attend or participate in ACR conferences. These are existing norms and standards that reflect our shared goals of mutual respect in knowledge creation within a diverse community.

All participants at ACR conferences are expected to:

  • Follow the norms of professional respect that are necessary to promote the conditions for free academic interchange.
  • Be proactive to speak up to stop harassment of others, if witnessed.
  • Alert conference personnel if you see an occurrence of harassment, especially where asymmetries of power exist (e.g., where the harassed participant is not in an easy position to protect themselves).

 

Unacceptable Behavior 

Behaviors considered unacceptable can include a single intense and severe act or multiple persistent or pervasive acts that are demeaning, abusive, offensive, or create a hostile professional or workplace environment. Harassment may include unwanted sexual solicitation, physical advance, or verbal or non-verbal conduct that is sexual in nature; it may also include threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts; circulation of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility toward an individual or group; epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping based on group identity.

If your experience at an ACR conference or other event includes harassment or similar forms of mistreatment please contact the on-site ACR Ombuds-Team for confidential assistance at: Email: [email protected]; Call or Text/SMS: +1 (218) 209-2313

 

The ACR Ombuds-Team is an informal, nonjudgmental, and confidential "friendly ear" that can listen, help people decide what they'd like to do, and help them locate resources that enable their healing and restoration. It serves exclusively as an on-site first-stop for attendees at ACR events. Accordingly, the team does not keep records, make reports to the governing body, or make disclosures on behalf of persons who may have experienced harassment or similar forms of mistreatment.

To ensure a safe space at our conference, ACR does not accept registrations from individuals who have been found guilty of workplace harassment.

ACR may take any action to address those who violate our principles. Penalties may include verbal warning, ejection from the meeting without refund or other measures ACR deems appropriate. Retaliation for complaints of inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated. Notifying the ACR does not constitute or replace a notification to local law enforcement and all violations of the law should be reported to local law enforcement.