Code of Conduct and Anti-Harassment Policy
The “New Frontiers in Ultrafast Quantum Optics” Summer School is committed to providing an environment that fosters the free and open exchange of scientific ideas. Such an environment requires that all participants are treated with fairness, dignity, and respect.
Scientific progress benefits from vigorous debate and critical discussion of ideas. However, personal attacks, intimidation, or disrespectful behavior undermine the collaborative atmosphere necessary for learning and research. All participants in the Summer School – including students, lecturers, organizers, staff, and invited guests – are therefore expected to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully at all times.
Bullying, discrimination, harassment, or retaliation of any kind will not be tolerated during any activity associated with the school, including lectures, discussions, social events, excursions, or informal interactions.
This policy applies to all individuals participating in the school regardless of role or seniority.
Particular care is expected from individuals in positions of authority or influence, such as lecturers, organizers, and senior researchers, since participants in more junior positions may feel reluctant to express concerns or objections.
The organizers reserve the right to take appropriate action if a violation of this policy is found to have occurred.
Definitions
For the purposes of this policy, the following terms are defined as follows.
Bullying is the ongoing abuse and intentional mistreatment of one or more vulnerable persons or groups by a more powerful individual or group. Bullying consists of repeated verbal (name-calling, verbal attacks), physical (use of physical force or aggression) and/or social behavior (ostracism, exclusion, spreading rumors) that causes physical or psychological harm. Being “more powerful” may include being physically bigger or stronger, having more social status or having influence over someone’s employment or professional advancement.
Discrimination is the unjust or prejudicial treatment of categories of people based on personal attributes such as race, sex, age, color, sexual orientation, body size, ethnic or national origin, disability, religion, marital status, veteran status, political affiliation or other attributes not related to the merit of one’s work or scientific research or ideas.
Harassment consists of unwanted, unwelcomed and uninvited behavior that demeans, threatens or offends another and results in a hostile environment. Harassing behavior includes, but is not limited to, the use of epithets, derogatory comments or slurs, assault, stalking, impeding or blocking movement, threats of violence, offensive touching, any physical interference with normal work or movement and visual insults, such as derogatory images, posters or cartoons. Harassment is often (but not always) based upon personal attributes such as race, sex, age, gender, color, sexual orientation, body size, ethnic or national origin and disability.
Sexual harassment consists of harassing behavior based upon sex, gender or sexual orientation. Sexual harassment includes unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors (often accompanied by overt or implied promises or threats relating to employment, professional advancement or recognition), lewd comments or images or other verbal, visual or physical conduct of a sexual nature where such conduct creates an unreasonable, intimidating, hostile or sexually offensive environment and may interfere with the target’s professional performance.
Retaliation consists of negative action or treatment toward someone who has reported bullying, discrimination or harassment based upon such report. Retaliation may include terminating or demoting a reporting employee, excluding a reporting individual from work or professional activities, injuring a reporting individual’s professional or personal reputation or unjustly demeaning a reporting individual’s work. Retaliation can be used as a method of bullying or harassment, but more importantly retaliation creates an environment that discourages victims and bystanders from reporting offensive behavior.
If You Experience or Witness Misconduct
Participants who experience or witness bullying, discrimination, or harassment are encouraged, if they feel comfortable doing so, to inform the individual that their behavior is unwelcome and inappropriate.
However, we understand that direct confrontation is not possible or advisable in every situation. If you do not feel comfortable addressing the situation directly, or if the behavior continues, you are encouraged to report the incident to the organizers.
Reporting an Incident
Reports of misconduct may be made by contacting one of the organizers. You are also encouraged to write down as many relevant details as you can recall (e.g., names, dates, times, locations, behavior or statements made, etc.), which can be helpful in assisting any future investigation of the incident.
Reports will be handled with discretion and sensitivity. Confidentiality will be respected as much as possible while allowing for a fair and appropriate review of the situation.
No retaliation will be taken or tolerated against anyone who makes a good faith report of bullying, discrimination or harassment.
Response to Reports
Upon receiving a report, the organizers will review the information and may conduct an investigation, which may involve speaking with the reporting individual, the affected person, witnesses, and the individual whose behavior is in question.
If a violation of this policy is determined to have occurred, the organizers may take appropriate action. Possible measures include: a warning, removal from specific activities, expulsion from the school without refund. Serious or repeated offenses may result in more significant consequences such as notification of the participant’s home institution or employer and referral to local authorities when appropriate.
The organizers reserve discretion in determining the appropriate response depending on the severity of the conduct.
Questions regarding this policy or concerns about conduct during the school may be directed to the organizing committee and to the secretariat (click here for contact details).