Code of Conduct
ELRA and ICCL, as the joint conference hosts, aim for a welcoming, pleasant, and inclusive atmosphere for all participants at all of its affiliated events (including, but not limited to, the main conference, all co-located workshops and all tutorials), across all possible formats (including, but not limited to, online, hybrid, and in-person formats). Every participant is welcome and respected. By the same token, all participants are expected to treat each other with respect and tolerance.
To foster an atmosphere of tolerance and respect, participants are expected to interact with others in a respectful and courteous manner, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical appearance, religious affiliation, creed, marital status, socioeconomic status, differing abilities, medical conditions, personal characteristics, political orientation, technology choices, food choices, or any other differentiating factors.
All persons, organizations, and entities affiliated with ELRA and/or ICCL are subject to the standards of conduct set forth below. Participants at such events are expected to abide by this code of conduct and encourage tolerance and respect. Everyone should feel empowered to engage in a civil manner when they or others are disrespected, and to raise awareness and understanding of this code of conduct.
Civility Policy
No kind of harassment will be tolerated (including abusive, racist, sexist, homophobic, intimidating, harassing, or threatening behaviour, be it towards another participant, organiser, or local denizen). Harassment includes, but is not limited to:
- verbal attacks, unwarranted incriminations, bullying, or offensive comments;
- aggressive or intimidating behaviour;
- unwelcome sexual attention;
- inappropriate physical contact;
- deliberate intimidation or stalking either in person or online;
- purposeful misinformation aimed to disorient and/or cover up other misdeeds (gaslighting);
- pornographic and racist images or materials in public spaces;
- sustained disruption during presentations and other events;
- encouraging or advocating any of the above behaviours.
Good Faith
Since ELRA and ICCL aim to include scholars and students from all over the world and of different cultural backgrounds, participants may have varied sensitivities and actions may sometimes be inadvertently perceived as offensive due to the lack of awareness rather than due to malice or ill intent: a common word in one language may have acquired negative connotations in another, an abbreviation may have both innocent and obscene meanings, a gesture of politeness in one culture may have become associated with inequality in another. When such cultural differences may be involved, it is important to hear both sides, in line with a reasonable assumption of good faith.
Academic Freedom of Speech
Disagreements, scientific or otherwise, should be dealt with in a rational, respectful, and civilised discussion; we affirm the understanding that academic consensus may sometimes be elusive, especially on matters of taste, belief, or social policy, and that the expression or the critique of a contested academic viewpoint does not in itself constitute harassment, as long as it is done in a respectful way; correspondingly, we affirm that it is sometimes necessary to simply respect each other’s position (without necessarily agreeing), or to seek open, public discourse on contested issues. We also affirm that presenters may discuss material that is sensitive as long as this is done in a respectful way where the material is adequately contextualised in line with academic inquiry.
By contrast, aggressive discussion styles (including ad hominem comments) that are aimed to intimidate, marginalise, belittle, or disparage others (or their research area) are unacceptable.
Reporting
To report any behaviour that violates this code of conduct, please immediately report the misconduct to the Local Organizing Committee (e.g., by email or in person). All complaints will be thoroughly investigated, and dealt with appropriately.
In preparing this code of conduct, the ELRA board and ICCL representatives have reviewed a number of similar documents issued by fellow associations. The FOLLI code of conduct, which applies to all FOLLI events and notably to ESSLLI, has been identified as a particularly clear and well conceived document that aligns well with the values of ELRA and ICCL. As such, it serves as the basis of the above text.
