Code of Conduct

EvoLang is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, or nationality. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organisers.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • Verbal comments that reinforce social structures of domination related to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, nationality
  • Sexual images in public spaces
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
  • Harassing photography or recording
  • Sustained disruption of talks or other events
  • Inappropriate physical contact
  • Unwelcome sexual attention
  • Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviour

Enforcement

Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in harassing behaviour, event organisers retain the right to take any necessary actions to keep EvoLang a welcoming environment for all participants. This includes warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund. Organisers may take action to redress anything designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the event or making the environment hostile for any participants. We expect participants to follow these rules at all event venues and event-related social activities. We think people should follow these rules outside event activities too!

Reporting

If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report it as soon as possible. Harassment and other code of conduct violations reduce the value of our event for everyone. People like you make our scientific community a better place, and we want you to be happy here. You can make a report either personally or anonymously.

Anonymous Report

You can make an anonymous report using the online form found at the bottom of this page. This form will be continuously monitored during the event by our inclusiveness officers: Erica Cartmill, Christine Cuskley, Bart de Boer, and Molly Flaherty. If you have a complaint you're not comfortable with sending to the whole committee, you can use an online service to send an anonymous email to a committee member of your choosing.

Personal Report

Make a personal report by emailing the inclusiveness committee at inclusiveness@evolang.org or adding contact information to the complaint form at the bottom of this page. This address will be continuously monitored during the event by our inclusiveness officers: Erica Cartmill, Christine Cuskley, Bart de Boer, and Molly Flaherty.

What happens if I make a report?

We can't follow up an anonymous report with you directly, but we will investigate it to the fullest extent possible and take all feasible actions to prevent a recurrence. When taking a personal report, our staff will adhere to the strictest confidence in handling the report. They may involve other event staff to the extent that this is required to ensure your report is managed properly. Once safe, we'll ask you to tell us about what happened. This can be upsetting, but we'll handle it as respectfully as possible, and you can bring someone to support you. You will never be asked to confront anyone and we won't tell anyone who you are.

Our team will be happy to help you contact hotel or venue security, local law enforcement, local support services, provide escorts, or otherwise assist you to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.

Report form

During the conference, a report form will be availble on the local website: https://brussels.evolang.org/code-of-conduct/