The Palaeontological Association holds regular meetings and events throughout the year. The Association’s Events Code of Conduct relates to the behaviour of all participants and attendees at all events run by the Association, and acts alongside the Code of Conduct for Members.
It is the expectation of the Palaeontological Association that meeting attendees behave in a courteous, collegial and respectful fashion to each other, volunteers, exhibitors and meeting facility staff.
Attendees should respect common sense rules for professional and personal interactions, public behaviour (including behaviour in public electronic communications), common courtesy, and respect for private property.
Demeaning, abusive, harassing or threatening behaviour, discrimination on the basis of race, ethnic origins, immigration status, religion, age, marital status, parental status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic background, educational background, or disability will not be tolerated. Inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention, including verbal or physical actions of a sexual nature towards other attendees or towards meeting volunteers, exhibitors or facilities staff and security will not be tolerated, either in personal or electronic interactions.
Respect for the intellectual property of presenters should be maintained at all times. Photographing or recording a talk without the author’s express permission is forbidden. While the default assumption is to allow open discussion of presentations on social media, attendees are expected to respect any request by an author to not disseminate the contents of their talk or poster. Questions and discussion should be constructive, respectful, and focus on data and ideas rather than individuals.
Reporting unacceptable behaviour
If you are the subject of unacceptable behaviour or have witnessed any such behaviour, you can report it (anonymously if you choose to) via the Report code of conduct violation form.
Anyone experiencing or witnessing behaviour that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety, or a criminal act is expected to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. Those witnessing a potential criminal act should also take actions necessary to maintain their own personal safety.
Report code of conduct violation here
Reporting Procedure
1. Reports will be received by The Association’s Executive Officer and Ethics Committee Chair and receipt will be automatically acknowledged. The Ethics Committee Chair will convene a committee comprising the President and three Council members (who could include the Vice Presidents, members of the Ethics Committee, the Diversity Officer, or another appropriate senior member of Council who is also a Trustee) and a committee Chair appointed. If any of these individuals is one of, has a close relationship with, or is a professional collaborator of, any of the parties involved, they should recuse themselves and the President or the Vice President will identify a replacement from among Council members.
2. The Committee will meet no later than 21 days after receiving the report to discuss it and decide if any further action should be taken. With the exception of whistleblowing concerns (see below), the Ethics Committee is not an investigatory body and will therefore decide whether further action should be taken on the basis of the evidence provided by the complainant.
3. If further action is favoured, a second meeting is held. In addition to the original committee, an appropriate independent member who is not a member of the Palaeontological Association (e.g., a senior officer in a learned society) will be invited. The Subject of the enquiry (the party or parties whose behaviour is reported to be in breach of the Ethics Code) will be invited to attend in order that they have the opportunity to give answers to the issues raised. The Subject may have one person attend this meeting with them.
4. After this meeting, a summary report detailing the situation and the Committee’s recommendations will be prepared by the Chair and shared with Council for comment, clarification, and a final decision. Ideally, each investigation should be concluded no later than 60 days from receiving the report. All investigations will be conducted under strict confidentiality.
5. The final report will then be shared with all relevant parties and the Subject will be notified that a decision has been reached.
6. The options for censure by the Association include written reprimand or warning, removal from Association positions, suspension from presenting at Association meetings, suspension from attending future Association activities (including events, field trips, short courses and meetings), suspension from submission of manuscripts to Palaeontology and Papers in Palaeontology, suspension of Association membership, expulsion from the Association, and/or denial or revocation of grants and awards. These sanctions may be for a predetermined duration or permanent. If a member is deemed to have violated the Association’s Ethics Code and it has been determined that sanctions are necessary, the Association reserves the right to contact affiliated societies, funding agencies, and the sanctioned member's home institution(s) regarding member misconduct as part of the Association's due-diligence in reporting prohibited behaviour that may breach the non-discrimination and/or harassment policies of our associates.
7. Any party named in an allegation (either accuser or accused) has leave to appeal on the basis that new facts have come to light after the enquiry has been completed or that a mistake was made in conducting the enquiry. The written appeal must be sent to both the Executive Officer and the Chair of the Ethics Committee.
If allegations pertain to criminal activity or pose a risk to public safety, the allegation(s) will be reported to the appropriate authorities.