Pavlovian Society Code of Conduct

1. Introduction and Commitment to Diversity

The Pavlovian Society welcomes people of all races, religions, socioeconomic backgrounds, ethnicities, sexual orientations, genders, gender identities, mental health statuses, able bodiedness, or political views. Our commitment to developing a more diverse and inclusive membership is across all levels of our Society, from meeting participation to leadership roles. This  represents the values and beliefs of the Pavlovian Society. We acknowledge the changing culture of academic and research institutions and the recognition that our definitions of inclusivity must be expanded over time to reflect a changing population and a changing world. As such, we aim to maintain a sense of belonging, inclusiveness, and safety for all members of our community at all Pavlovian Society meetings and events.

2. Scope of Code of Conduct

Pavlovian Society seeks to create a diverse, inclusive, respectful, and safe environment for the exchange and development of scientific ideas. To do this, Pavlovian Society requires compliance with this Policy by all society members and meeting participants throughout the Annual Meeting and in all Pavlovian Society-related events, correspondence, and business. This policy is an expression of our values, and is not an acknowledgement, admission, or description of Pavlovian Society’s legal obligations with respect to any of the subject matters addressed herein, nor does it create any such legal obligations on the Society, its Executive Committee, or President.

3. Prohibited Conduct

Prohibited conduct at the Pavlovian Society Annual Meeting includes, but is not limited to: 

  1. harassment and discrimination based on race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, perceived disability, ancestry, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, citizenship or immigration status, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, political views, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws;

  2. demeaning comments or harassment about a person’s professional status, qualifications, or affiliations;

  3. abusive conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with another person’s ability to benefit from and enjoy or participate in the Pavlovian Society Annual Meeting;

  4. undue or excessive interruption of any event, speaker, or session; 

  5. sharing data, recordings, or other presentation materials without express permission of the presenter; and

  6. violence or threats of violence or physical harm.

Any illegal acts, violence, or threats of imminent harm occurring at the meeting will be immediately reported to the relevant authorities.

4. Harassment Defined

Harassment includes any conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment whether that conduct be verbal, physical, or visual. Harassment can take many forms and includes, but is not limited to: slurs, epithets, derogatory comments, insults, degrading or obscene words, jokes, demeaning statements, offensive gestures, or displaying derogatory or demeaning pictures, photos, drawings, or cartoons based upon an individual’s race, color, national origin, religion, creed, age, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity, physical or mental disability, perceived disability, ancestry, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, citizenship, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other basis protected by federal, state or local laws. All forms of harassment are unacceptable, prohibited by this policy, and will not be tolerated.

Examples of sexual harassment include, but are not limited to: expressions of romantic or sexual interest that are unwelcome, unreciprocated, involve a power differential, and/or are offensive to the target (e.g., unwanted touching, hugging, stroking, and persistent requests for dates or sexual behavior despite discouragement). Contact between two consenting adults without a power differential that is not defined as harassment, but can become harassment when consent is withdrawn by one party. 

Sexual harassment also includes gender harassment such as verbal and nonverbal behaviors that convey insulting, hostile, and degrading attitudes about members of one gender, intentional misgendering, as well as crude harassment. Sexually harassing conduct can be by a person of the same or other sex or gender, and may occur in person or over virtual messaging (including email, text message, direct messages, etc.). 

The Pavlovian Society has a “zero tolerance” policy toward discrimination and all forms of harassment. It is impossible to define every action or word that could be interpreted as harassment or discrimination, and the above list is not a complete rendering of what may be deemed sexual or other harassment prohibited by this policy. Pavlovian Society reserves the right to discipline meeting participants who engage in any inappropriate conduct, even if it is not specifically referred to or defined in this Code of Conduct, or is not legally actionable as sexual or any other form of harassment.

5. Incident reporting, response, and sanctions

1. Filing a Complaint

Who can file a complaint:

  • Any individual who feels as if they have been subject behaviors that violate this Code of Conduct, including but not limited to harassment; 

  • Any individual who has witnessed prohibited behaviors or a violation of this Code of Conduct

To file a complaint:

Formal complaints can be filed with any member of the Executive Committee. 

This can be done: 

Reports can be made anonymously. No participant will be retaliated against for making a good faith claim of prohibited behavior harassment, discrimination, for opposing harassment or discrimination,  for participating in, or cooperating with, the investigation of a complaint. 

Reporting individuals can file a complaint and choose not to proceed with an investigation. The Pavlovian Society will only conduct an investigation when requested.

2. The Pavlovian Society’s response to a formal complaint

Pavlovian Society will take steps toward promptly and completely addressing any concerns raised, and take action to correct violations of this Code of Conduct. Pavlovian Society will make every effort to maintain the confidentiality of the reporting individual and will not deliberately share any personal information. Any individual involved in the case (reporting individual, accused, witness) will be excluded from the investigation and decision-making process, regardless of their leadership position in the Society.

The following steps will be taken in any investigation: 1) A designated member of the executive committee will gather information (document the event; interview the complainant; conduct additional interviews if necessary and/or possible, including the alleged offender) and 2) put together a summary report, which will then be forwarded to the Executive Committee of Pavlovian Society for a decision. The EC will 3) inform the complainant of findings and decision; and 4) impose disciplinary measures and sanctions against any person found to have engaged in conduct prohibited by this Code. 

3. Possible sanctions and disciplinary measures

If it is determined that an individual has engaged in prohibited conduct as listed above, or conduct constituting harassment or discrimination, disciplinary action will be taken by Pavlovian Society, which may include: private reprimand; removal from the meeting without warning or refund; conditions upon future Pavlovian Society Meeting attendance; restriction from future Pavlovian Society meetings; restriction from leadership and award opportunities within the Pavlovian Society; expulsion from the society. Any illegal acts, violence, or threats of imminent harm will be immediately reported to the relevant authorities. 

Throughout any proceedings, the reporting individual remains free to report any incident to relevant authorities.

Pavlovian Society will not tolerate any form of retaliation, and any retaliatory behavior will be subject to further investigation and discipline.

6. Code of Conduct Attestation

The Pavlovian Society Annual Meeting is committed to supporting discovery and scientific dialogue, and providing an atmosphere and online space that is safe, respectful and welcoming to all those present in order to encourage the free expression and exchange of scientific and educational ideas. This commitment applies to the Pavlovian Society Meeting, at all venues and events, including all ancillary and unofficial social events and discussions held in conjunction with the Annual Meeting and anyone present, including but not limited to, attendees, guests, speakers, exhibitors, contractors, staff, and volunteers.

To that end, the Pavlovian Society Meeting strictly prohibits and does not tolerate unlawful harassment or discrimination on the basis of race, color, religion, creed, national origin, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, gender (including nonconformity and status as a transgender or transsexual individual), gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, perceived disability, citizenship, immigration status, marital status, genetic information, past, current or prospective service in the uniformed services, or any other basis recognized by applicable federal, state, or local laws. The Pavlovian Society upholds the philosophy of equality of opportunity for, and treatment of, all individuals present at the Pavlovian Society Meeting and thus, does not tolerate any form of discrimination, harassment, and/or retaliation. We expect all those present at the Pavlovian Society Annual Meeting to help us in ensuring a productive, safe and positive environment for all.

By participating in the Pavlovian Society meeting, I confirm that I have read the Code of Conduct for the Pavlovian Society, and agree that it is my responsibility to be familiar with, and to abide by, its terms. I also attest that I will cooperate with any formal or informal inquiry into my behavior and/or actions at the Annual Meeting. I agree to be bound by the decisions of the Executive Committee on Meeting Conduct, which may take any action that it deems appropriate, including but not limited to exclusion from a current Annual Meeting (without refund) or from future meetings, exclusion from future consideration for official Pavlovian Society roles and awards.

DRAFTED BY THE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE IN 2021.
LAST UPDATED: September 15, 2023.