AbSciCon Code of Conduct
The Astrobiology Conference, open to all those interested in astrobiology sciences, is among the most respected scientific meetings in the astrobiology community. AGU and NASA, the conference co-sponsors, are committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, AGU staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by this Meeting Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to all Astrobiology Conference related events, including those sponsored by organizations other than AGU and NASA but held in conjunction with the Astrobiology Conference events, in public or private facilities.
Expected Behavior
- All participants, attendees, AGU staff, and vendors are treated with respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.
- Be considerate, respectful, and collaborative.
- Communicate openly with respect for others, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.
- Avoid personal attacks directed toward other attendees, participants, AGU staff, and suppliers/vendors.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants. Alert staff if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
- Respect the rules and policies of the meeting venue, hotels, Astrobiology Conference contracted facility, or any other venue.
Unacceptable Behavior
- Harassment, sexual harassment, bullying, or discrimination in any form will not be tolerated.
- Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, AGU staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
- Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, AGU staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
- Recording or taking photography of another individual’s presentation without the explicit permission of the conference co-sponsors is not allowed.
- Disruption of talks at oral or poster sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by AGU or NASA at the meeting venue, hotels, or other Astrobiology Conference contracted facilities.
Consequences
- Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.
- Co-sponsor staff (or their designee) or security may take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund.
- AGU and NASA reserve the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting.
Reporting Unacceptable Behavior
- lf you are the subject of unacceptable behavior or have witnessed any such behavior, please immediately notify a co-sponsoring society staff member.
- Notification should be done by contacting a co-sponsoring society staff member on site or by emailing your concern to lparr@agu.org.
- Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety is advised to contact 911 and locate a house phone and ask for security.