Code of Conduct

Registration for, access to, and participation in any society-sponsored event represents an agreement to abide by the policies below. This code of conduct is based on the Evolution Meetings Code of Conduct. The meeting Code of Conduct also dovetails with the Code of Ethics, which all members of the American Society of Naturalists (ASN) agree to when they become members. The link above outlines the Code of Ethics as well as the process for reporting violations. You can also find this information at the end of the Code of Conduct. 

The ASN meeting is intended to foster the respectful exchange of scientific ideas, providing participants with an opportunity to present research findings, establish/renew collaborations, recruit people to their laboratories, and learn, teach, and network with an international community of biologists. ASN is committed to creating an environment where everyone can participate without experiencing harassment, discrimination, or similar unwelcome, exclusionary behavior. All meeting participants must treat others with respect and consideration. Registration for the meeting is considered an agreement to abide by the ASN meeting code of conduct.

Harassment of others by any participant (attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, staff member, service provider, organizer, moderator or meeting guest) will not be tolerated. Unacceptable treatment of others includes (but is not limited to) unwanted verbal attention, unwanted touching, verbal or physical intimidation, stalking, shaming, or bullying. Discrimination or exclusion on the basis of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, physical appearance, race, religion, national origin, ethnicity, or similar will not be tolerated. Critiques of scientific work are appropriate and important, but all forms of communication must be free of offensive, discriminatory or disrespectful elements, including (but not limited to) words and images that are derogatory or demeaning to individuals or groups [1]. Inappropriate comments presented in a joking manner constitute unacceptable behavior. Retaliation for reporting inappropriate behavior is also unacceptable, as is reporting an incident in bad faith.

The ASN meeting organizers and the Executive Council reserve the right to enforce this code of conduct in any manner deemed appropriate. Anyone violating the code of conduct may be: (a) asked to stop, (b) prohibited from posting their presentation on society- or conference-sponsored websites and outlets, (c) expelled from the in-person meeting (without refund), and/or (d) prohibited from attending future in-person or virtual meetings or events. Establishing and enforcing this code of conduct is intended to prevent incidents of harassment, discrimination, and violence, and to maintain the high quality of scientific discourse that our members have come to expect from ASN meetings.

[1] Disagreements about science are normal and healthy parts of meetings. Civil and constructive criticism of someone’s work for a perceived methodological flaw or a misinterpretation of results is appropriate. Demeaning a scientist for being sloppy, misleading or stupid and other ad hominem attacks are inappropriate.