Conference Code of Conduct

All attendees, speakers, sponsors and volunteers at our conference are required to agree with the following code of conduct. Organisers will enforce this code throughout the event. We expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe environment for everybody.

Summary

Our conference is dedicated to providing a harassment-free conference experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or technology choices. We do not tolerate harassment of conference participants in any form. Sexual or explicit language and imagery are not appropriate for any conference venue, including talks, workshops, parties, Twitter and other online media. Conference participants violating these rules may be sanctioned or expelled from the conference without a refund at the discretion of the conference organisers.

Policy

The following information is drawn from the Principles of Conduct of the IAWF (Collaborative Partner of Wildfire2024)

Expected Behaviour

Based on our core values of leadership, trust, and integrity; diversity and inclusivity; wildland fire advocacy; personal safety; promotion of science and operational principles; global communication; and personal and professional growth, the Wildfire2024 Steering Group expects that all conference organisers, speakers and delegates will:

  1. Base all professional and civic behaviour on honesty, fairness, good will, and respect for the law.

  2. Provide opportunities for others to learn and develop in ways that are in keeping with the Wildfire2024 Steering Group commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

  3. Be considerate and respectful to all others.

    • Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behaviour, materials, and speech.

    • Refrain from harassment of or any form of discrimination against another participant, staff member, volunteer or others.

    • Carry out our actions in a civil and dignified manner; act professionally and respectfully toward one another; respect the needs, contributions, and viewpoints of others; and give due credit to others for their methods, ideas, or assistance.

    • Never consider or exhibit any actual or threatened violence toward any individual or group.

    • Speak up if observing anything at an event that conflicts with these Principles of Conduct.

  4. Never engage in any conduct endangering the life, safety, health or well-being of others.

  5. Always present, to the best of our ability, accurate and complete information.

  6. Always indicate on whose behalf any public statements are made.

  7. Always fully disclose and resolve any existing or potential conflicts of interest.

  8. Always keep proprietary information confidential unless the appropriate person authorises its disclosure.

  9. Exhibit professional behaviour, including but not limited to:

    • Treating all participants, attendees, staff, volunteers, and vendors with respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.

    • Being considerate, respectful, and collaborative.

    • Communicating openly with respect for others, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.

    • Avoiding personal attacks directed toward other attendees, participants, staff, volunteers, and suppliers/vendors.

    • Respecting the rules and policies of the meeting venue.

 

Unacceptable Behaviour

Unacceptable behaviour from any member of staff, speaker or delegate will not be tolerated.

Unacceptable behaviour includes, but is not limited to:

  1. Unprofessional or civic behaviour involving dishonesty, unfairness, discrimination, harassment, fraud, confidentiality, or disrespect for the law.

  2. Any inconsiderate, disrespectable, or abusive behaviour toward others.

    • Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning speech, materials, or conduct by any member.

    • Violence, threats of violence, or violent language directed against another person.

    • Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, or otherwise discriminatory jokes and language.

    • Personal insults, particularly those related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, or disability.

  3. Any boisterous, lewd, or offensive behaviour or language, including but not limited to using sexually explicit or offensive language, materials or conduct, or any language, behaviour, or content that contains profanity, obscene gestures, or racial, religious, or ethnic slurs.

  4. Misuse of personal contact details associated with members.

  5. Wilful disregard to laws, policies, and other rules in regard to ethical behaviour.

  6. Any unprofessional behaviour, including but not limited to:

    • Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.

    • Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, staff member, volunteer, service provider, or other meeting guest.

    • Verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.

    • Disruption of talks at oral or poster sessions, in banquets or exhibit halls, at the meeting venue, hotels, or other contracted facilities.

 

If You Witness or are Subjected to Unacceptable Behaviour

If you are subjected to unacceptable behaviour, notice that someone else is being subjected to unacceptable behaviour, or have any other concerns, please notify a Wildfire2024 Steering Group representative immediately.

Any Wildfire2024 Steering Group member or Heather Trust staff member are appropriate individuals to notify at any time – hello@wildfire2024.co.uk

All reports will remain completely confidential.

Anyone experiencing or witnessing behaviour that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to personal or public safety is advised to contact 999.

 

Enforcement of Principles of Conduct

Unacceptable behaviour will not be tolerated. Anyone asked to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately.

Any individual in violation of these Principles of Conduct will be asked to leave the conference immediately.