1. About this Code of Conduct
ISUOG’s events, courses and other activities promote education and collaboration amongst our international community of members, faculty and delegates who attend our events and partake in other Society activities. When we talk about faculty, we mean people who participate in ISUOG events and courses including speakers, chairs, co-chairs and moderators. We are committed to:
• ensuring a safe and welcoming environment where everyone across our international community has a positive experience and is treated with respect; and
• upholding ISUOG’s values of excellence, integrity, respect, inclusiveness and passion.
ISUOG’s events, courses and other activities promote education and collaboration amongst our international community of members, faculty and delegates who attend our events and partake in other Society activities. When we talk about faculty, we mean people who participate in ISUOG events and courses including speakers, chairs, co-chairs and moderators. We are committed to:
• ensuring a safe and welcoming environment where everyone across our international community has a positive experience and is treated with respect; and
• upholding ISUOG’s values of excellence, integrity, respect, inclusiveness and passion.
The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to set out the standards of conduct and personal behaviour that we expect from everyone in the ISUOG community. These standards apply to written, verbal and non-verbal behaviour and communication (including social media activity). Everyone in the ISUOG community is expected to have regard for the impact of their personal behaviour on colleagues, the organisation and the wider public.
2. Standards of Conduct
a. Equality, diversity and inclusion
Everyone in the ISUOG community should treat others, and expect to be treated, equally regardless of age, disability, gender, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation (the Protected Characteristics). You must not treat anyone less favourably because of a Protected Characteristic and you must not retaliate against someone who has complained, or supported someone else’s complaint, about discrimination.
a. Equality, diversity and inclusion
Everyone in the ISUOG community should treat others, and expect to be treated, equally regardless of age, disability, gender, marital or civil partner status, pregnancy or maternity, race, colour, nationality, ethnic or national origin, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation (the Protected Characteristics). You must not treat anyone less favourably because of a Protected Characteristic and you must not retaliate against someone who has complained, or supported someone else’s complaint, about discrimination.
b. Harassment and bullying
ISUOG is committed to providing an environment free from harassment and bullying. Bullying and harassment will not be tolerated within the ISUOG community.
Harassment is any unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating a person's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. Harassment can include unwanted physical conduct (e.g. touching, pushing or grabbing); offensive emails, text messages or social media content; or unwelcome sexual advances or suggestive behaviour. A person can be harassed even if they are not the intended target – for example, a person may be harassed by racist jokes about a different ethnic group if the jokes create an offensive environment for them. Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour involving the misuse of power that can make a person feel vulnerable, upset, humiliated, undermined or threatened. Bullying can include physical or psychological threats; intimidating or overbearing levels of criticism; or inappropriate derogatory remarks about someone’s academic opinions or contributions. ISUOG encourages diverse views and robust discussion and debate, but this should never involve aggressive, discriminatory, or hostile comments or behaviour.
ISUOG is committed to providing an environment free from harassment and bullying. Bullying and harassment will not be tolerated within the ISUOG community.
Harassment is any unwanted conduct that has the purpose or effect of violating a person's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for them. Harassment can include unwanted physical conduct (e.g. touching, pushing or grabbing); offensive emails, text messages or social media content; or unwelcome sexual advances or suggestive behaviour. A person can be harassed even if they are not the intended target – for example, a person may be harassed by racist jokes about a different ethnic group if the jokes create an offensive environment for them. Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour involving the misuse of power that can make a person feel vulnerable, upset, humiliated, undermined or threatened. Bullying can include physical or psychological threats; intimidating or overbearing levels of criticism; or inappropriate derogatory remarks about someone’s academic opinions or contributions. ISUOG encourages diverse views and robust discussion and debate, but this should never involve aggressive, discriminatory, or hostile comments or behaviour.
c. Privacy and confidential information
Personal identifiable information about a living person (personal data) must always be used in accordance with data protection principles and applicable data protection legislation. Anyone sharing personal data within the ISUOG community must ensure that appropriate consents or permissions have been obtained and that their use of the personal data is lawful and fair. This is of particular importance when dealing with medical records or personal data relating to someone’s health. Wherever possible, information should be made anonymous so that it is not possible to identify the person being referred to. If faculty have any questions or concerns about compliance with data protection laws and guidance, they should contact The Director of Events and Systems ([email protected]).
Personal identifiable information about a living person (personal data) must always be used in accordance with data protection principles and applicable data protection legislation. Anyone sharing personal data within the ISUOG community must ensure that appropriate consents or permissions have been obtained and that their use of the personal data is lawful and fair. This is of particular importance when dealing with medical records or personal data relating to someone’s health. Wherever possible, information should be made anonymous so that it is not possible to identify the person being referred to. If faculty have any questions or concerns about compliance with data protection laws and guidance, they should contact The Director of Events and Systems ([email protected]).
d. Academic integrity and intellectual property
ISUOG strives to maintain the highest standards in all research and other academic activity that it undertakes. Everyone in our community must take care not to conduct themselves in ways that could undermine these standards. You must not make any statement or otherwise publish anything that might damage ISUOG’s reputation or which could bring ISUOG into disrepute. You must ensure that you have permission to use all documents, records, or other materials that you share with the ISUOG community and that you do not infringe the rights (including any intellectual property rights such as copyright, trademarks, patents and moral rights) of any third party.
ISUOG strives to maintain the highest standards in all research and other academic activity that it undertakes. Everyone in our community must take care not to conduct themselves in ways that could undermine these standards. You must not make any statement or otherwise publish anything that might damage ISUOG’s reputation or which could bring ISUOG into disrepute. You must ensure that you have permission to use all documents, records, or other materials that you share with the ISUOG community and that you do not infringe the rights (including any intellectual property rights such as copyright, trademarks, patents and moral rights) of any third party.
e. Conflicts of Interest
Everyone in the ISUOG community is expected to maintain high standards of integrity and to reject any practice, which might reasonably be deemed improper (including improper practices, even if they might benefit ISUOG). You must avoid bribery, corruption or other financial impropriety. We ask that you declare any financial, personal or family interests that may conflict with your involvement with ISUOG so that any conflicts (including potential or perceived conflicts) can be assessed, and to ensure that individuals are not involved in decisions where their actions could be seen as biased. It is particularly important that our faculty ensure that they at all times act with impartiality, independence and integrity, and avoid being (or giving the appearance of being) in a position which may result in an actual or perceived detriment to ISUOG’s reputation or interests.
Everyone in the ISUOG community is expected to maintain high standards of integrity and to reject any practice, which might reasonably be deemed improper (including improper practices, even if they might benefit ISUOG). You must avoid bribery, corruption or other financial impropriety. We ask that you declare any financial, personal or family interests that may conflict with your involvement with ISUOG so that any conflicts (including potential or perceived conflicts) can be assessed, and to ensure that individuals are not involved in decisions where their actions could be seen as biased. It is particularly important that our faculty ensure that they at all times act with impartiality, independence and integrity, and avoid being (or giving the appearance of being) in a position which may result in an actual or perceived detriment to ISUOG’s reputation or interests.
f. Conduct at ISUOG events
Events and courses are a core part of ISUOG’s community and mission. ISUOG staff, volunteers and faculty will be asked to ensure that this Code of Conduct is followed at ISUOG events and courses. Examples of unacceptable conduct at events include:
• carrying out duties (including presentations and seminars) for ISUOG when under the influence of alcohol or non-medically prescribed drugs;
• failure to follow reasonable instructions and directions, including the rules and procedures of the event, course, activity or venue;
• recording or photographing of presentations or scientific content without permission from ISUOG;
• distribution of promotional flyers or materials without prior agreement from a senior manager of ISUOG;
• using ISUOG’s platform for political purposes or to share political opinions;
• disruption to the scientific program or other event proceedings;
• destruction of property or the threat of physical force to any person or property.
This is not an exhaustive list.
Events and courses are a core part of ISUOG’s community and mission. ISUOG staff, volunteers and faculty will be asked to ensure that this Code of Conduct is followed at ISUOG events and courses. Examples of unacceptable conduct at events include:
• carrying out duties (including presentations and seminars) for ISUOG when under the influence of alcohol or non-medically prescribed drugs;
• failure to follow reasonable instructions and directions, including the rules and procedures of the event, course, activity or venue;
• recording or photographing of presentations or scientific content without permission from ISUOG;
• distribution of promotional flyers or materials without prior agreement from a senior manager of ISUOG;
• using ISUOG’s platform for political purposes or to share political opinions;
• disruption to the scientific program or other event proceedings;
• destruction of property or the threat of physical force to any person or property.
This is not an exhaustive list.
3. Your responsibilities
We ask that you notify ISUOG’s Chief Executive Officer ([email protected]) if you believe or suspect that a breach of this Code of Conduct has occurred, or is likely to occur in the future. If you fail to adhere to this Code of Conduct, ISUOG will take action to investigate and address this failure and reserves the right to take appropriate action, including removal from an ISUOG event or course [or withdrawal of membership]. If you have any comments or queries relating to this Code of Conduct, you should address them to the Governance Manager ([email protected]).
We ask that you notify ISUOG’s Chief Executive Officer ([email protected]) if you believe or suspect that a breach of this Code of Conduct has occurred, or is likely to occur in the future. If you fail to adhere to this Code of Conduct, ISUOG will take action to investigate and address this failure and reserves the right to take appropriate action, including removal from an ISUOG event or course [or withdrawal of membership]. If you have any comments or queries relating to this Code of Conduct, you should address them to the Governance Manager ([email protected]).