Long Term Ecological Research Network
Code of Conduct
The Long Term Ecological Research Network aims to foster the exchange of scientific ideas and research strategies, establish and renew collaborations, and build a diverse community of scientists. The LTER Network is committed to to providing a safe, productive and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and staff.
All participants—including, but not limited to, meeting attendees, speakers, volunteers, contractors, Network Office staff, and guests—are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies in all venues, online and in-person, including ancillary events and social gatherings, whether officially sponsored by LTER or not.
Beyond this Code of Conduct, the LTER Network Office strives to support sites in their efforts to build, maintain, and assess diversity, safety and inclusion. Read more about the Network Office’s DEIJ strategy.
Expected behavior
- Treat all participants, attendees, staff, and vendors with kindness, respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions (including those you may not share).
- Communicate openly with respect for other participants, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech directed toward others, whether in person, in print, or online.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants.
- Respect the rules and policies of the meeting venue.
- Abide by principles of academic integrity and ethical professional conduct.
Unacceptable behavior
- Harassment, intimidation or discrimination in any form is unacceptable. Harassment includes speech or behavior that is not welcome or is personally offensive. Behavior that is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another, so use discretion to be sure respect is communicated.
- Verbal harassment includes comments, epithets, slurs, threats, and negative stereotyping that are offensive, hostile, disrespectful, or unwelcome.
- Non-verbal harassment includes actions or distribution, display, or discussion of any written or graphic material that ridicules, insults, belittles, or shows hostility, aversion, or disrespect toward a group or individual. The use of sexual and/or discriminatory images in public spaces or in presentations is also considered harassment.
- Examples of unacceptable behavior include—but are not limited to—unwelcome or offensive verbal comments related to age, appearance or body size, employment or military status, ethnicity, gender identity and expression, individual lifestyle, marital status, national origin, physical or cognitive ability, political affiliation, sexual orientation, race, or religion.
- Retaliation and reporting an incident in bad faith both undermine the safe, productive and welcoming environment we are striving to create and will also be subject to consequences.
Consequences
The LTER Network Office, in consultation with the LTER Executive Board, reserves the right to enforce this Code of Conduct in any manner deemed appropriate. Except in the most egregious cases, anyone violating the Code of Conduct will first be asked to cease these behaviors. Failure to comply with requests can result in escalating consequences which may include expulsion from the meeting or prohibition from future meetings.
Reporting
If you are the subject of unacceptable behavior or have witnessed any such behavior, please immediately notify a member of the LTER Network Executive Board, the LTER Network Office, or the organizers for the meeting you are attending.
Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to individual or public safety at an LTER meeting is advised to contact venue security or local law enforcement.
