We believe all participants should feel welcome and safe. We take harassment and discrimination of any kind very seriously. If you witness or experience a breach of the code of conduct outlined below, contact a member of the LOC at lisa2026-info@umd.edu.
We expect individuals at the Symposium to treat one another with respect and without prejudice.
Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to the following:
While bias and harassment come in many forms, the following forms are quite common. Discrimination based on the following is not acceptable:
Following the standards of the LISA Consortium, this Code of Conduct adopts the definition of sexual
harassment and other harassment of the Anti-Harassment Policy for Meetings and Activities of the American
Astronomical Society and Divisions (https://aas.org/policies/anti-harassment-policy).
In the following, we report their definition:
Sexual harassment refers to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Behavior and language that are welcome/acceptable to one person may be unwelcome/offensive to another. Consequently, individuals must use discretion to ensure that their words and actions communicate respect for others. 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.
Sexual harassment does not refer to occasional compliments of a socially acceptable nature. It refers to behavior that is not welcome, is personally offensive, debilitates morale, and therefore, interferes with work effectiveness. The following are examples of behavior that, when unwelcome, may constitute sexual harassment: sexual flirtations, advances, or propositions; verbal comments or physical actions of a sexual nature; sexually degrading words used to describe an individual; a display of sexually suggestive objects or pictures; sexually explicit jokes; unnecessary touching.
Harassment and bullying on the basis of any other protected characteristic is also strictly prohibited. This conduct includes, but is not limited to the following: epithets, slurs, or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating, or hostile acts (in person or via e-mail); denigrating jokes and display or circulation of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group. Even in cases where an individual victim cannot be identified, lewd, offensive, or inappropriate behavior may be construed as harassment and cannot be tolerated in a professional, collegial environment.
Discrimination refers to bias or prejudice resulting in denial of opportunity, or unfair treatment regarding selection, promotion, or transfer. Discrimination is practiced commonly on the grounds of age, disability, ethnicity, origin, political belief, race, religion, sex, etc. factors which are irrelevant to a person’s competence or suitability.
Retaliation refers to taking some action to negatively impact another based on them reporting an act of discrimination or harassment.
If you believe that you have been subject to or have witnessed behavior that violates this code of conduct, please report it immediately to the members of the local organizing committee by emailing lisa2026-info@umd.edu.