Code of conduct for AMI events

All delegates, speakers, sponsors, volunteers and staff at any Applied Microbiology International (AMI) event are required to read and follow the Code of Conduct. Organisers will implement this code throughout the event.

Ethos

This Code of Conduct aims to enable all delegates, speakers, sponsors, volunteers and staff to enjoy, participate in and contribute at all AMI events, both online and in-person, and to ensure that individuals or groups do not feel harassed or uncomfortable in participating in any AMI event or associated activities. AMI welcomes you to take part in our events and hopes that this code helps you to participate fully.

Expectations

The Applied Microbiology International is dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of protected characteristics described by the Equality Act or aspects of diversity not currently covered by the Act (e.g. socio-economic status). We do not accept harassment or intimidation of symposium/conference delegates, speakers or staff in any form whether verbal, physical, or written (including Social Media or by email). Participants who do not adhere to these rules may be removed from the event at the discretion of the organisers.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

1. Offensive or unwanted conduct on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation which has the purpose or effect of violating dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile or degrading environment.
2. Use of sexualised or other inappropriate images or unwelcome sexualised content inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome sexual attention or stalking.
3. Sustained interruption of speakers or those asking questions.
4. Unwanted photography or filming.

Intimidation includes, but is not limited to:

1. Making threats
2. Bullying
3. Personal attacks

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact a member of AMI staff immediately. The AMI staff can be identified through their branded name badges. AMI staff will be happy to help participants contact venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment or intimidation to feel safe at the event. AMI reserves the right to remove any individual from the event if they break the Code of Conduct. No reimbursement of event or associated costs will be made. We expect participants to follow these rules at all AMI events and associated activities.

References

1. Bonham VL., Green ED., and Pérez-Stable EJ. (2018) Examining How Race, Ethnicity, and Ancestry Data Are Used in Biomedical Research. JAMA. 320 (15): 1533–1534.
2. Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion in Science and Health. (2019) The EDIS Symposium 2019 Code of Conduct and Inclusion Statement.
3. Equality Human Rights Commission. (2017) Being disabled in Britain: A journey less equal.
4. Government Equalities Office and Equality Human Rights Commission. (2010) The Equality Act.
5. Parliamentary Office of Science and Technology. (2018) LGBT + Health Inequalities.
6. Public Health England. (2018) Local action on health inequalities: understanding and reducing ethnic inequalities in health.
7. Shannon G., Caceres C., Eleveld A., Jansen M., Mannell J., Motto A., Odhiambo A., Williams K. (2019) ‘Gender equality in science, medicine, and global health: where are we at and why does it matter?’. The Lancet. 393 (10171):560-569.
8. Sirugo G., Tishkoff SA., Williams SM. (2019) The Missing Diversity in Human Genetic Studies. Cell. 177 (1): 26-31.
9. Stonewall. (2017) Glossary of Terms.