The Association for Biology Laboratory Education (ABLE) is committed to providing a professional and welcoming environment for all participants, regardless of age; gender; gender expression or identity; sexual orientation; race; ethnicity; language; nationality; immigration status; parental status; marital/partnership status; socio-economic status; education level; political or religious beliefs; and physical and neuro(a)typicality.
The ABLE community expects all participants (attendees, sponsors and volunteers) to engage in professional behaviours to ensure a safe and positive experience for everyone, including:
- Treating conference attendees with respect and consideration;
- Providing a healthy environment for the exchange of ideas;
- Encouraging and supporting other members of our community;
- Communicating thoughtfully while being mindful of views and opinions different from your own.
Unacceptable behaviors will not be tolerated during any portion of an ABLE sanctioned activity, including the conference events, travel to and from the conference, and social activities. Unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to:
- Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning speech or actions;
- Verbal or non-verbal harmful or prejudicial macro- or microaggressions;
- Inappropriate disruption of workshops or other events;
- Uninvited physical contact or unwelcome sexual attention;
- Real or implied threat of physical harm;
- Real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm.
How to report unacceptable behaviors
If you experience or notice an unacceptable behavior by a member of ABLE community, or have any other concerns related to inclusion, please report your concern to the meeting Host or any ABLE Board member. ABLE will respond as promptly as possible to all reports. We will respect confidentiality requests.
ABLE prioritizes marginalized people’s safety and well-being over privileged people’s comfort. ABLE reserves the right not to act on complaints regarding:
- ‘Reverse’ -isms, including ‘reverse racism’, ‘reverse sexism’ and ‘cisphobia’;
- Reasonable communication of boundaries, such as “leave me alone” or “I’m not discussing this with you”;
- Communicating in a tone you don’t find congenial;
- Personality conflicts and gossip
Response to unacceptable behaviors
Those who are in violation of ABLE’s code of conduct will be asked to stop unacceptable behavior immediately and if deemed necessary, depart the meeting at their own expense. ABLE reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting for violation of the above.
Note: This code of conduct also extends to all virtual communications.