Code of Conduct

ELRA aims for a welcoming, pleasant, and  inclusive atmosphere for all participants at all of its affiliated events (including, but not limited to, LREC, LT4ALL, etc.), across all possible formats (including, but not limited to,  online, hybrid, and in-person formats). Every participant is welcome and respected. By the same  token, all participants are expected to treat each other with respect and tolerance.

To foster an atmosphere of tolerance and respect, participants are expected to interact with others in a  respectful and courteous manner, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, ancestry,  sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical appearance, religious affiliation,  creed, marital status, socioeconomic status, differing abilities, medical conditions, personal  characteristics, political orientation, technology choices, food choices, or any other differentiating  factors.

All persons, organizations, and entities affiliated with ELRA are subject to the standards of conduct  set forth below. Participants at ELRA-affiliated events are expected to abide by this code of conduct  and encourage tolerance and respect. Everyone should feel empowered to engage in a civil manner  when they or others are disrespected, and to raise awareness and understanding of this code of  conduct.

 

Civility Policy

No kind of harassment will be tolerated (including abusive, racist, sexist, homophobic, intimidating,  harassing, or threatening behaviour, be it towards another participant, organiser, or local denizen).  Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • verbal attacks, unwarranted incriminations, bullying, or offensive comments;
  • aggressive or intimidating behaviour;
  • unwelcome sexual attention;
  • inappropriate physical contact;
  • deliberate intimidation or stalking either in person or online;
  • purposeful misinformation aimed to disorient and/or cover up other misdeeds (gaslighting);
  • pornographic and racist images or materials in public spaces;
  • sustained disruption during presentations and other events;
  • encouraging or advocating any of the above behaviours.

 

Good Faith

Since ELRA aims to include scholars and students from all over the world and of different cultural  backgrounds, participants may have varied sensitivities and actions may sometimes be inadvertently  perceived as offensive due to the lack of awareness rather than due to malice or ill intent: a common  word in one language may have acquired negative connotations in another, an abbreviation may have  both innocent and obscene meanings, a gesture of politeness in one culture may have become  associated with inequality in another. When such cultural differences may be involved, it is important  to hear both sides, in line with a reasonable assumption of good faith.

 

Academic Freedom of Speech

Disagreements, scientific or otherwise, should be dealt with in a rational, respectful, and civilised  discussion; we affirm the understanding that academic consensus may sometimes be elusive,  especially on matters of taste, belief, or social policy, and that the expression or the critique of a  contested academic viewpoint does not in itself constitute harassment, as long as it is done in a  respectful way; correspondingly, we affirm that it is sometimes necessary to simply respect each  other’s position (without necessarily agreeing), or to seek open, public discourse on contested issues.  We also affirm that presenters may discuss material that is sensitive as long as this is done in a  respectful way where the material is adequately contextualised in line with academic inquiry.

By contrast, aggressive discussion styles (including ad hominem comments) that are aimed to  intimidate, marginalise, belittle, or disparage others (or their research area) are unacceptable.

 

Reporting

To report any behaviour that violates this code of conduct, please immediately report the misconduct to the Local Organizing Committee (e.g., by email or in person) of ELRA-organised events. All  complaints will be thoroughly investigated, and dealt with appropriately.

In preparing this code of conduct, the ELRA board has reviewed a number of similar documents issued by fellow associations. The FOLLI code of conduct, which applies to all FOLLI events and notably to ESSLLI, has been identified as a particularly clear and well conceived document that aligns well with the values of ELRA. As such, it serves as the basis of the above text.