Code of Conduct
DH @ Guelph Code of Conduct
DH@Guelph is committed to creating and supporting inclusive, diverse, and equitable communities of practice through our series, other events, and the DH@Guelph Summer Workshops. We strive to create welcoming environments that are anti-oppression, recognize intersectionalities, and work compassionately across difference. Together, workshop participants and instructors create learning environments to advance research and pedagogy that are interdisciplinary, constructive, and collaborative. We know that the best problem-solving and critical thinking happens when people with a wide array of experiences and perspectives come together to work in comfort and safety as peers. We therefore expect participants in the workshops to help create a thoughtful and respectful environment that supports such work.
How to Be
DH@Guelph is dedicated to providing collaborative experiences that are free from all forms of harassment, and inclusive of all people. Small actions you can take will help us meet this goal. For instance, we suggest: listening as much as you speak, and remembering that colleagues may have expertise you are unaware of; encouraging and yielding the floor to those whose viewpoints may be under-represented in a group; using welcoming language, for instance by honouring pronoun preferences and favoring gender-neutral collective nouns (“people,” not “guys”); accepting critique graciously and offering it constructively; giving credit where it is due; seeking concrete ways to make physical spaces and online resources more universally accessible; and staying alert, as Active Bystanders, to the welfare of those around you.
Likewise, it is important to understand the range of behaviors that may constitute harassment. Harassment can include unwelcome or offensive verbal comments or nonverbal expressions related to: age; appearance or body size; employment status; ethnicity; gender identity or expression; individual lifestyles; marital status; national origin; physical or cognitive ability; political affiliation; sexual orientation; race; or religion. Harassment can also include use of sexual and/or discriminatory images in public spaces (including online); deliberate intimidation; stalking; following; harassing photography or recording; sustained disruption of talks or other events; bullying behavior; inappropriate physical contact; and unwelcome sexual attention.
Sexually explicit or demeaning, discriminatory, or probable triggering language and imagery are generally inappropriate at any DH@Guelph event, including talks. However, this policy is not intended to constrain responsible scholarly or professional discourse and debate. We welcome engagement with difficult topics, done with respect and care. Presentations or workshops dealing with potentially offensive content are encouraged to flag this in advance descriptions and in face-to-face introductions.
What to Do
That said, we will not tolerate harassment of DH@Guelph community members in any form. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please contact the organizers in person or at dhguelph@uoguelph.ca. Participants asked to stop any harassing behavior are expected to comply immediately.
All reports and inquiries will be handled in confidence.
On site, in THINC Lab or in other locations where DH@Guelph-organized events are held on the University of Guelph campus, DH@Guelph team members can be identified by their name badges. They will assist participants by contacting library security or local law enforcement, providing escorts, or otherwise helping those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event.
During virtual conferences, talks, or workshops, you can let the chair, organizer, or your workshop instructor know if you feel something that does not align with the Code of Conduct has occurred. You should also feel free to reach out to dhguelph@uoguelph.ca and let the directors know of the situation.
To report incidents either during or after events, you have the option to contact all DH@Guelph staff at dhguelph@uoguelph.ca, write to the DH@Guelph co-directors Susan Brown and Kim Martin individually, or DM @DHatGuelph on Twitter.
If you or others are in imminent danger, please first phone emergency services at 911. The campus police emergency number at University of Guelph is 519-824-4120 x52000.
Participants at all DH@Guelph-organized events who are asked to stop harassing or intimidating behaviors are expected to comply immediately. Those who who violate the code of conduct may be warned, sanctioned, or expelled at the discretion of the directors. If the matter is sufficiently serious, including if there is debate over whether a violation has occurred, we will turn to other resources to assist in dealing with the situation, including the University of Guelph Diversity and Human Rights office.
We value your presence and constructive participation in our shared community, and thank you for your attention to the comfort, safety, and well-being of fellow DH@Guelph collaborators and attendees.
Sources of inspiration
DLF; Everyday Feminism, Geek Feminism; Code4Lib; ALA; LITA; AMIA; SAA; US OpenGLAM; ADHO; National Women’s Studies Association, Recurse Center; Contributor Covenant; Vox Media; Scholars’ Lab.
You’re Invited to Modify and Re-Use
This document has been made available under a CC-BY-NC 4.0 license. Please feel free to adapt and re-use for your conference or event! We suggest altering the first section to reflect your group’s own mission statement and self-identity, and appreciate acknowledgments.