Code of Conduct

Policy Against Harassment at UKAIRS
 
The open exchange of ideas is central to our mission. This requires an environment that embraces diversity and provides a safe, welcoming environment for all. 
 
1. Expected Behaviour 
 
We expect all participants in UKAIRS activities to abide by this policy in all venues, including ancillary events and unofficial social gatherings: 
  • Exercise consideration and respect in your speech and actions; 
  • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour and speech;
  • Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants;
  • Alert an Ally, as outlined in section 3, if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this policy, even if they seem inconsequential.
 
2. Unacceptable Behaviour
 
Unacceptable at any UKAIRS activity is:
 
  • Discriminatory Harassment: Any conduct that discriminates or denigrates an individual based on race, ethnicity, religion, citizenship, nationality, age, sexual or gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law in the location where the UKAIRS activity takes place. 
  • Abuse: Any action directed at an individual that (a) interferes substantially with that person’s participation; or (b) causes that person to fear for his/her personal safety. This includes threats, intimidation, bullying, stalking, or other types of abuse
  • Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or other verbal/physical conduct of a sexual nature. Examples include (but are not limited to):
 
    • Unwelcome advances or propositions, particularly when one individual has authority over the other;
    • Inappropriate touching of an individual’s body; degrading or humiliating comments about an individual’s appearance; 
    • Using an activity-related communication channel to display or distribute sexually explicit images or messages.
 
Alert an Ally, as outlined in section 3, if you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this policy, even if they seem inconsequential. 
 
Harassment can occur when there is no deliberate intention to offend. Be careful in the words that you choose. Harassment committed in a joking manner or disguised as a compliment still constitutes unacceptable behaviour. Remember that sexist, racist, and other exclusionary jokes can be offensive and be perceived as a microaggression to those around you. 
 
3. How to Report Unacceptable Behaviour 
 
Any individual who experiences harassment (as described above) should contact an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Ally wearing a yellow lanyard. 
 
We acknowledge that the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM)’s Policy Against Harassment has been adapted to form this code of conduct.