EuCAPT Code of Conduct

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Purpose and Scope

The scope of this document is to describe the code of conduct of the European Consortium for Astroparticle Theory (EuCAPT). The Consortium recommends that all EuCAPT activities abide by the code below.

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Statement
EuCAPT is expected to be a scientifically productive, professional and enjoyable for everyone involved, regardless of personal attributes including but not limited to: age, body size, disability, ethnicity, gender, marital status, nationality, physical appearance, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion or sexual orientation, stage or path of career, physical or mental disability, medical condition or for other arbitrary or personal reasons.

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EuCAPT does not tolerate verbal, non-verbal, or physical harassment of any kind. Behave professionally. Harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary comments or jokes are not appropriate at any time (including lunches, coffee breaks, social events or others). Harassment includes verbal or physical abuse, offensive or inappropriate comments, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, sexual attention or innuendo, deliberate intimidation, stalking, retaliation, and photography or recording of an individual without consent. EuCAPT members will strive to ensure that inclusive language is used at all times and that words and actions communicate respect for others.

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All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds. Individuals must use discretion to ensure that their words and actions communicate respect for others. Racist, sexual or sexist language and/or imagery is not appropriate. This is especially important for those in positions of authority since individuals with lower rank or status may be reluctant to express their objections or discomfort regarding unwelcome behavior.

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A conduct of research integrity applies at all times, based on i. honesty, whereby the research process is accurately reported and takes alternative views and counter arguments into consideration; ii. Scrupulousness, using scientific and scholarly methods in the best possible way to design, undertake and report research; iii. transparency, by ensuring that it is clear, at least to peers, how the results were obtained and the role played by external stakeholders; iv. Independence, ensuring that the scientific process was not guided by non-scientific or scholarly considerations; v. responsibility, acknowledging that a researcher does not act in isolation, and that therefore research should, whenever possible, take into account the interests of human and animal test subjects, and the scientific and societal relevance.

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Members asked to stop any inappropriate behaviour are expected to comply immediately. Any member or associate who wishes to report a violation to of this policy can do so, in confidence, to any of the Code of Conduct Committee (COCC) members.

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Adherence
All EuCAPT members are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct, and prospective members must agree to the terms of the Code of Conduct as a condition of acceptance into the Consortium. EuCAPT is a voluntary collaboration between scientists. Membership may be revoked at the discretion of the Board, for grounds including but not limited to violations of this Code of Conduct. In addition, the EuCAPT reserves the right to remove a member based on sanction or censure by the member’s department, institution, or professional society for activity that constitutes a violation of EuCAPT’s Code of Conduct. Violations of the EuCAPT Code of Conduct shall be taken into account in judging applications for participation in EuCAPT activities, including (but not limited to) the annual symposium and EuCAPT workshops. Any EuCAPT member with a concern about a violation of the Code of Conduct for EuCAPT-related activities may raise this concern to the EuCAPT Chair or Board members. They may also contact one of the EuCAPT’s Ombudspersons for confidential consultation. The Ombudspersons are available to aid with informal conflict resolution and mediation. Individuals interested in pursuing formal complaints are encouraged to address complaints to the relevant employment institution(s).

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Retaliation toward a member who pursues any of these options, or toward anyone assisting either in the Ombuds process or in the investigation of a concern or complaint, is a violation of this Code.

 

In no circumstance does the EuCAPT Code of Conduct supplant laws or institutional policies or requirements to which members of EuCAPT or home institutions are subject, including reporting requirements of an individual or entity. It is understood that EuCAPT members may report allegations of violations to home institutions, government agencies, or local authorities for investigation pursuant to applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The EuCAPT Ombudspersons are available for confidential consultation, within the limits of the reporting requirements of their institutions, about any EuCAPT-related issue or concern.

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This Code of Conduct shall not be construed as creating any employer-employee, joint venture, partnership, duty, trust, obligation to pay, or other relationship between EuCAPT, member institutions, grantors, funding institutions or agencies, home institutions, or members, including EuCAPt and APPEC Management and committees. Although EuCAPT encourages all members to abide by this Code of Conduct, EuCAPT remains a voluntary member body. Members and their affiliated institutions waive any and all claims, liabilities, or damages against EuCAPT, member institutions, grantors, funding institutions or agencies, home institutions, and EuCAPT members involved in implementing the Code of Conduct arising from the enforcement of, or failure to enforce, this Code of Conduct.

 

If you are unsure about any aspects of these policies, you may seek clarification and/or advice from any of the following sources: your hierarchy, or the EuCAPT Chair.

 

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Acknowledgement: This EuCAPT code of conduct has been adapted from the DESI Code of Conduct and the Netherlands Code of Conduct for Research Integrity.