CODE OF CONDUCT

The local organising committee of IMSC2024, the executive committee of ANZSMS, and the executive committee of IMSF, are all committed to hosting a conference that is welcoming and safe, free from discrimination and harassment, and where all participants are treated with dignity and respect.

Adherence to this Code of Conduct is a requirement for all IMSC2024 participants, and covers all aspects of the conference, including pre-conference short courses, conference oral and poster sessions, seminars, workshops, breaks, networking and social events, and all communication including via email or social media associated with the conference.

If a participant engages in harassing behaviour, the conference organisers may take any action they deem appropriate, including expulsion from the conference with no refund. Harassment is unlawful under both federal and all Australian state anti-discrimination laws, and as such, people suspected of such misconduct may be reported to authorities.

Unacceptable behaviour includes, but is not limited to:

• harassment, including verbal, written, or physical conduct relating to gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion (or lack thereof), national origin, ethnicity, political affiliation, disability, physical appearance, age, technology choices, or socio-economic status;
• sustained or wilful disruption of talks or other events, including politicized use of clothing, accessories, or flags;
• harassing photography or recording;
• inappropriate and/or unwanted physical contact;
• stalking, following or deliberate intimidation;
• unwelcome sexual attention, which can include inappropriate questions of a sexual nature, asking for sexual favours or repeatedly asking for dates or contact information; and

• displaying sexualised images.

Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to comply immediately. Be aware that actions and behaviour may not be received as intended, and continuation of those actions may constitute harassment.

Reports of violations of this Code of Conduct may be made by people subject to, or witnesses of, unacceptable behaviour. If you have concerns for your safety or that of others, please alert a member of the organising committee or IMSF executive, or members of the conference organising team at the registration desk or at the information desk in the exhibition hall, and/or a member of the convention centre security staff.

Material presented and displayed at IMSC2024, including in pre-conference short courses, conference session oral and poster sessions, seminars, workshops, and sponsor and exhibit booths, is the intellectual property of the presenter and may not be quoted, recorded or photographed in any manner without the approval of the author of the material presented. Materials published online and in print must contain appropriate approval and credits for photographs and quotations.