Meetings@PSI

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Code of Conduct

PSI Conference and Meeting Code of Conduct

The Planetary Science Institute (PSI) is committed to providing a professional environment at all of our events and meetings that is welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and collaborative.

Participants at PSI events, whether in-person or virtual, are expected to abide by the following code of conduct:

Expected Behavior

  • Treat everyone with respect and dignity, including:
    • Avoid dominating the microphone or airtime in a virtual meeting;
    • Be respectful in discussing and debating ideas – critique ideas, not people; and
    • Be collaborative while being mindful not to exert dominance over others.
  • Use good practices for intercultural collaborations.  Communicate openly and thoughtfully with others by listening and being considerate of the multitude of views and opinions that may be different than your own.
  • Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow attendees during an in-person event.
  • Be honest; provide true professional identity, affiliation, and, where appropriate, contact information.
  • Respect intellectual property; understand the digital rights policy and know when you need to obtain permission regarding copying or using presented materials and ideas.
  • Follow the rules and policies of the meeting venue, including the facility and online platform.
  • Adhere to the nondiscriminatory and anti-harassment policies.
  • Report conduct concerns to a PSI staff member so that concerns can be addressed responsibly and in a timely fashion.

Unacceptable Behavior

The following are some examples of unacceptable behaviors:

  • Promoting or participating in harassing/hostile conduct, bullying, discrimination, or intimidation on-site, online/virtual platform, or via social media.
  • Verbal, written, or other forms of abuse of any person associated with the meeting or guest (examples of abuse include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender (sex, identity, expression), sexual orientation, disability, body size or other physical appearance, race, religion, ethnicity or national origin, marital status, veteran status, socioeconomic status, or other identities, as well as inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces and in presentations (on-site or online))
  • Unwelcome sexual attention, including but not limited to making sexualized jokes or comments, inappropriate touching or making sexual advances.
  • Threatening or stalking in-person or online or unwelcome or surreptitious photography or recording of individuals.
  • Disruption or hindering participation by others, including intentionally talking over or interrupting others.
  • Failure to follow meeting protocols, including not disrupting the event.
  • Personal attacks (including attacks on ideas versus respectful, disagreeing dialogue).
  • Use of social and mainstream media to target individual actions of participants in a manner that could harm their privacy or professional status or open them to slander or libel.
  • Knowingly violate copyright, or copying presenter information without obtaining permission.

Consequences that May Be Imposed

  • Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately.  After compliance, the participant may raise questions or concerns to a PSI staff member.
  • Violation of the Code of Conduct may result in being removed for the current meeting, and depending on the behavior may result in banning from future meetings.
  • Posts and hashtags associated with the meeting are monitored. Failure to follow the above guidelines may result in posts being block or other consequences.

Reporting Unacceptable Behavior or a Violation of this Policy

If you experience or witness behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public or personal safety at an in-person meeting, contact 911.  Report other incidents or suspected incidents to the PSI staff, leadership, or security. PSI staff will be wearing a ‘safe meeting’ logo on their registration badge.

Acknowledgement and Agreement to Event Policies

Acknowledgement and agreement to abide by the Code of Conduct, the Nondiscrimination and Anti-Harassment Policy, and the Digital Rights policy is required at registration for any in-person, virtual, or hybrid event.

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