Code of Conduct

USRA/LPI is committed to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, age, race, religion, or other protected status. We do not tolerate harassment of meeting participants in any form. USRA/LPI expects that all participants will abide by this Code of Conduct, creating an environment free from harassment, discrimination, disruption, incivility, or violence of any kind. We expect participants to exercise consideration and respect in their speech and actions and refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior.

Encouraged Meeting Behavior

  • Being respectful of the purpose of the meeting
  • Listening actively and being collaborative
  • Treating all participants with respect and consideration
  • Communicating openly and thoughtfully with other participants while also being considerate and respectful of differing views and opinions
  • Being aware and respectful of language and cultural diversity
  • Handling differences of opinion constructively and positively
  • Acting fairly, honestly, and in good faith with other participants
  • Respecting the privacy of participants
  • Respecting the intellectual property of participants and asking for consent for photography, audio-visual recordings, and/or quotes

Prohibited Meeting Behavior

The following list of prohibited meeting behavior applies to all in-person and/or virtual meetings managed, implemented, and/or supported by USRA/LPI.

  • Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning writing, speech, or actions by any participant
  • Harmful or discriminatory verbal or written comments or visual images related to a person's gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, age, or other personal characteristics
  • Use of nudity, sexual images, or stereotyped images in public spaces, including but not limited to presentation slides, video backgrounds, or digital communications
  • Creating a sexualized environment
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or unwanted following
  • Harassing photography or non-consensual recording
  • Sustained disruption of in-person or virtual presentations or other events
  • Unprofessional, unwelcome, uninvited, or unwanted attention or contact
  • Physical assault, including unwelcome touching or groping
  • Real or implied threat of physical harm
  • Real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm
  • Retaliation for reporting unacceptable behavior
  • Falsely reporting unacceptable behavior
  • Destruction/theft of physical property, including participants' personal property or property at meeting venues
  • Theft of intellectual property, including but not limited to disseminating the contents of a presenter's work on social media or other platforms without the express consent of the author (see Photography Policy below)
  • Falsifying data
  • Alleged violations of home institution/company policy or local, state, or federal law

Reporting Alleged Code of Conduct Violations

Report issues, concerns, or violations of this Code of Conduct directly to USRA/LPI management at USRA-LPI Meetings Code of Conduct. In case of accident or injury, call 911 and/or the local police. If violations of the law have occurred, please call the local police.

Anonymous reports may be made through other individuals. While USRA/LPI cannot follow up on an anonymous report with the affected individual directly, we will fully investigate it and take whatever action is necessary to prevent a recurrence.

Investigation Process

Following the receipt of a report or complaint, USRA/LPI will conduct an investigation. This investigation may include but is not limited to:

  • Review of the initial complaint and supplemental documentation
  • Interview and/or acquisition of written statements from the involved parties and any witnesses
  • Solicitation and/or acquisition of available additional materials, if applicable

The respondent will be informed of the complaint and be allowed to provide information. We will protect the privacy of all parties to the greatest extent possible.

If the respondent is found to violate this Code of Conduct, USRA/LPI will impose consequences deemed appropriate (e.g., issuing a letter of warning, banning from our managed meetings for a period of time or permanently). There is no appeal process. USRA/LPI will also notify the affected individual (if possible) of the decision and any action taken.

Photography Policy at all USRA/LPI Meetings

Attendance at, or participation in, any meeting organized and/or supported by USRA/LPI constitutes consent to the use and distribution by USRA/LPI of the attendee's image or voice for informational, publicity, promotional, and/or reporting purposes in print or electronic communications media. Video recording or live streaming of presentations is expressly prohibited by anyone other than official meeting representatives as designated by USRA/LPI. Photographs of copyrighted PowerPoint or other slides and images that are labeled as confidential and/or proprietary are also expressly prohibited.

Media Policy

Meeting participants may blog, post, and tweet highlights of any conference using the official conference hashtag. We welcome social media use as a way of sharing scientific findings with your social networks.

Social Media Guidelines

  • Use the official conference hashtag on all postings.
  • Maintain professional courtesy in all postings associated with the conference hashtag.
  • Respect copyright and intellectual property right laws (i.e., do not capture an entire presentation on video and post it without the presenter’s explicit consent).
  • Refrain from using photos, screenshots, audio, or video recording devices in all oral sessions. Refer to the Photography Policy for complete details.

Working Press

Media credentials grant journalists and public information officers from space-science-related organizations access to all scientific sessions, including poster sessions and events specifically for media representatives. Having access does not imply “permission” to report or discuss topics without adherence to these guidelines.

USRA/LPI requires that members of the media discuss any research of interest with the authors before publishing stories regarding their work as a means of ensuring that authors’ works are accurately represented and cited. Members of the working press are expected to adhere to this professional, ethical standard.

Presenters at meetings are not eligible to attend as working press.

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