CODE OF CONDUCT FOR AAAS EVENTS
AAAS is committed to providing a safe and productive meeting environment that fosters open dialogue and the exchange of scientific ideas, promotes equal opportunities and treatment for all participants, and is free of harassment and discrimination. All participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration and alert staff of any dangerous situations or anyone in distress.
The AAAS meetings can serve as an effective forum to consider and debate science-relevant viewpoints in an orderly, respectful, and fair manner. Speakers and attendees are expected to uphold standards of scientific integrity and professional ethics. The policies herein apply to but are not limited to all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, contractors, volunteers, guests, and any other third-party participants or suppliers involved in any level of activity at AAAS meetings.
The following represent examples of types of behaviors that will not be tolerated during the AAAS events:
- intentionally talking over or interrupting others
- engaging in biased, demeaning, intimidating, coercive, harassing, or hostile conduct or commentary, whether seriously or in jest, based on sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, national origin, religion, marital status, veteran status, age, physical appearance, disability, power differential, or other identities
- engaging in personal attacks of any kind
- commenting on personal appearance
- retaliation against reporting of conduct concerns or assisting in conflict resolutions
- disruption of the event (e.g., “Zoom-bombing”) or engaging in harm or threats of harm of any kind
- producing or distributing audio or visual recordings of the event in any medium
- producing or distributing photographs of presentations or materials
- engaging in any of the above behaviors on social media in relation to the event or related events
Virtual and Hybrid meetings are different than in-person gatherings. AAAS expects all participants to abide these guidelines in all for a of the meeting. AAAS reserves the right to remove an individual from the event without warning or refund, prohibit attendance at future AAAS meetings, and notify the individual’s employer.
Reporting Harassment/Misconduct
If an individual experiences or witnesses’ harassment or misconduct and wishes to file a formal
report, they should contact AAAS event staff at jstevens@aaas.org or 202-326-7095.
If an individual experiences or witnesses’ harassment or misconduct, it is recommended that, in addition to notifying AAAS staff, they write down the details. They are not expected to discuss the incident with the offending party. Their confidentiality will be maintained to the extent that it does not compromise the rights of others.