INFN Code of Conduct for Conferences and Events

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General principles

INFN is committed to ensuring a safe, inclusive, and respectful environment for all participants at conferences, workshops, and events organised or sponsored by it, regardless of gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, physical characteristics, language, nationality, ethnic or social origin, religion or belief, political opinions, or any other personal or social status.

This Code applies to all organisers, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, vendors, and participants, both on-site and online, including interactions on digital platforms and social media connected to the event. Participation in the event implies acceptance of this Code.

Expected Behaviour

Participants are expected to conduct themselves in a courteous and professional manner and to contribute to an environment where everyone is treated with respect, dignity, and consideration. This includes:

• fostering open, constructive, and non-aggressive discussion, respecting diverse opinions, experiences, and backgrounds;
• encouraging active and equitable participation, including by those joining remotely;
• using appropriate and respectful language in presentations and interactions;
• criticising ideas rather than people;
• respecting privacy and personal space;
• helping to prevent and oppose harassment, discrimination, intimidation, and other inappropriate conduct;
• promptly notifying the organisers of any behaviour that may contravene this Code.

Behaviour contrary to these principles includes:

• unwelcome sexual attention;
• unwanted physical contact or invasion of personal space;
• stalking, or deliberate intimidation;
• threats or personal attacks;
• sexually explicit, discriminatory, or otherwise inappropriate images or content on slides, posters, profiles, or event channels;
• harassing photography or recording;
• sustained disruption of talks, sessions, or other event activities;
• encouraging or inciting conduct contrary to this Code.

Reporting Concerns

If you experience or witness a violation of this Code, or have any concerns about safety or inclusion, please report it immediately:

• to a member of staff or the Organising Committee;
• if you work for INFN or are an INFN associate, you can also report it to the INFN Confidential Counsellor: cons.fiducia@infn.it

Reports will be handled with due promptness, impartiality, and confidentiality, and personal data will be shared strictly on a need-to-know basis.

Consequences

Individuals who are asked to cease unacceptable behaviour are expected to comply immediately.

A breach of this Code entails, depending on the seriousness of the breach and in compliance with the principle of proportionality, the application of one or more of the following measures:

• verbal or written warning;
• removal from the event without refund, where applicable;
• exclusion from future INFN events;
• notification to the person’s home institution or to the competent authorities, where appropriate.

For INFN personnel, the procedures and measures provided by internal regulations apply.

Where feasible, the individuals concerned will be given the opportunity to be heard before measures are adopted, without prejudice to urgent interventions required to protect safety.

This Code complements, without replacing, applicable laws and INFN regulations.

Protection from Retaliation

Retaliation against anyone who, in good faith, reports a violation or cooperates with the handling of a report is prohibited. Any retaliation will be treated as a further violation of this Code.