Code of Conduct 

We value the participation of each stakeholder at EPCC events and want all attendees to have an enjoyable and fulfilling experience. Accordingly, all attendees are expected to show respect and courtesy to other attendees throughout each event. 

To make clear what is expected, all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, organisers and volunteers at our events are required to conform to the following Code of Conduct and accept the procedures by which any Code of Conduct incidents are resolved.  

Summary 

We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of background or identity. We do not tolerate harassment of event participants in any form. 

Any form of behaviour that excludes, intimidates, or causes discomfort is a violation of the Code of Conduct.  

All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. 

Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other attendees. 

Behave professionally. Remember that harassment and exclusionary comments will not be tolerated at our events. 

Attendees violating these rules may be asked to leave the event at the sole discretion of the event organisers. 

To foster a positive and professional environment we encourage the following: 

  • Use welcoming and inclusive language
  • Be respectful of different viewpoints and experiences
  • Gracefully accept constructive criticism
  • Focus on what is best for the community
  • Show courtesy and respect towards other community members. 

Clarifications 

Harassment includes offensive communication related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, non-consensual photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. 

Any form of behaviour that excludes, intimidates, or causes discomfort is a violation of the Code of Conduct. 

Participants who are asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. 

Be careful in the words that you choose. Remember that words can be offensive to those around you. Swearing and offensive jokes are not appropriate at our events. 

If a participant engages in behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct, the event organisers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the event with no refund. 

Contact Information 

At all our events, we have staff dedicated to enforcing the Code of Conduct and dealing with its violations.  

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact one of the Code of Conduct staff responsible for the event you are attending and they will be happy to assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event.  

Procedure for reporting and responding to harassment  

Any reported incidents are dealt with by the EPCC Management Committee.  

  1. You should report the harassment incident via email to info@epcc.ed.ac.uk and address the Subject of the email as: “CONFIDENTIAL: Event Code of Contact”.
  2. All reports are confidential.
  3. When reporting the event, try to gather as much information as available, but do not interview people about the incident.
  4. The important information the Committee will need consists of:
  • Identifying information (name) of the participant accused of harassment
  • The behaviour that was in violation of the Code of Conduct
  • The approximate time of the behaviour (if different from the time the report was made)
  • The circumstances surrounding the incident
  • Other people involved in the incident
  1. The Committee will handle the incident following the staff procedure for handing reported harassment. 
  2. If you do feel your safety is in jeopardy, please do not hesitate to contact the Police by dialling 999. If you do not have a mobile phone, simply ask a staff member. The police non-emergency number is 101.
  3. If you are participating remotely and feel that your personal safety is in jeopardy at any time, then contact your local Police / law enforcement service. 

Acknowledgement 

This procedure has been adopted from the Ada Initiative's guide titled "workshop anti-harassment/Responding to Reports”& Software Sustainability Institute titled ”CW25 - Attendee Procedure For Reporting Harassment.”