NISO Plus Code of Conduct

All attendees, speakers, sponsors and volunteers at NISO Plus are required to comply with the following code of conduct. Organizers will enforce this code throughout the event. We expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everyone.

If you believe someone is violating the code of conduct, please contact Jason Griffey, NISO Director of Strategic Initiatives, at griffey@niso.org, 423-443-4770 (call or SMS), or anonymously on the web form below. All reports will be kept confidential.

The Quick Version

NISO and any NISO Plus events are dedicated to providing a harassment-free experience for all participants, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, or religious affiliation (or lack thereof). We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual language and imagery is not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks, workshops, parties, and social media. NISO Plus event participants violating these rules may be expelled from the event without a refund at the discretion of the conference organizers.

The More Detailed Version

NISO seeks to provide a conference environment in which diverse participants may learn, network, and enjoy the company of colleagues in an environment of mutual human respect. We recognize a shared responsibility to create and hold that environment for the benefit of all. Speakers and sponsors are asked to frame discussions as openly and inclusively as possible and to be aware of how language or images may be perceived by others. Participants may exercise their option to leave a session or a conversation.

Harassment includes offensive verbal comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion, sexual images in public spaces (including virtual spaces), deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention. In the context of the information professions, a critical examination of beliefs and viewpoints does not, by itself, constitute hostile conduct or harassment.

Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Sponsors are also subject to the anti-harassment policy. If a participant engages in harassing behavior, the conference organizers may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or expulsion from the conference with no refund.

If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact any member of NISO staff immediately. NISO Staff will assist in making sure your report is taken. If you would prefer to report anonymously, or do not feel comfortable approaching a staff member, you may use the web form here and staff will investigate as appropriate.

NISO staff will be happy to assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. We value your participation and will assist you in any way that we can to ensure your safety and well-being.

All participants are expected to observe these rules and behaviors in all conference venues, including online venues, and conference social events. Participants asked to stop a hostile or harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately. Conference participants seek to learn, network and have fun. Please do so responsibly and with respect for the right of others to do likewise.

Media Capture

In order to make the NISO Plus Conference a great experience for everyone, do not photograph, video, or audio record anyone without their permission, even in virtual spaces.

If you are unsure whether the incident is a violation, or whether the space where it happened is covered by this Code of Conduct, we encourage you to still report it. We would much rather have a few extra reports where we decide to take no action, rather than miss a report of an actual violation. We do not look negatively on you if we find the incident is not a violation. And knowing about incidents that are not violations, or happen outside our spaces, can also help us to improve the Code of Conduct or the processes surrounding it.

Code of Conduct Anonymous Reporting Form

The NISO Code of Conduct is licensed CC BY-SA 4.0.