NAPDC is committed to providing a safe and productive environment that fosters open dialogue and the exchange of ideas, promotes equal opportunities and treatment for all participants, and is free of harassment and discrimination. All participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration and follow venue and/or online platform rules. Speakers at events are expected to uphold standards of scientific integrity and professional ethics. This includes notifying NAPDC staff in advance about any possible conflicts of interest. NAPDC recognizes that there are topics of discussion that are controversial. NAPDC gatherings serve as an effective forum to consider and debate viewpoints in an orderly, respectful, and fair manner. The policies herein apply to all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, contractors, volunteers, and guests at gatherings (virtual or in-person).

What is Harassment?

Harassment includes speech or behavior that is not welcome or is personally offensive, whether it is based on ethnicity, gender, religion, age, body size, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other reason not related to scientific merit. It includes stalking, unnecessary touching, and unwelcome attention.

Behavior that is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another, so use discretion to be sure that respect is communicated. Harassment intended in a joking manner still constitutes unacceptable behavior. Retaliation for reporting harassment is also a violation of this policy, as is reporting an incident in bad faith.

Reporting Harassment

NAPDC is committed to supporting a productive and safe working environment for everyone. NAPDC prohibits any form of harassment, sexual or otherwise. If an individual experiences or witnesses harassment, they should contact any member of the NAPDC Project Investigators, or use a venue phone/private chat (as appropriate) and ask for security if they feel unsafe. All complaints will be treated seriously and responded to promptly.

The NAPDC Project Investigators reserve the right to remove an individual from participation in NAPDC and prohibit future participation in NAPDC for any reason without notice or refund. Complaints regarding a participant's conduct in violation of these community principles should be directed to the participant's home institution for review and investigation as appropriate. If there is an immediate or serious threat to safety, participants are advised to contact 911.

Project Investigators: Jennifer Clarke, Trenton Franz, Joe Luck, Scout Calvert, Leslie Delserone, Hongfeng Yu, Laura Thompson

Project Staff: Stacey Herceg