Code of Conduct

The open exchange of ideas, the freedom of thought and expression, and respectful scientific debate are central to the goals of the Conference on Learning Theory; this requires a community and an environment that recognizes and respects the inherent worth of every person.

Who?

All participants---attendees, organizers, speakers, sponsors, and volunteers at our conference, workshops, and conference-sponsored social events---are required to agree with this code of conduct both during the event and on official communication channels, including social media. Organisers will enforce this code, and we expect cooperation from all participants to help ensure a safe and productive environment for everybody.

Scope?

The conference commits itself to providing a conference experience for all participants that is free from harassment, bullying, discrimination, intimidation, personal attacks, sustained disruption of talks or other events, retaliation, and behavior that interferes with another's full participation. This includes offensive comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or any other personal characteristics.
Sponsors are equally subject to this Code of Conduct. In particular, sponsors should not use images, activities, or other materials that are of a sexual, racial, or otherwise offensive nature. Booth staff (including volunteers) should not use sexualized clothing/uniforms/costumes, or otherwise create a sexualized environment. This code applies both to official sponsors as well as any organization that uses the conference name as branding as part of its activities at or around the conference.

Outcomes?

Participants asked by any member of the community to stop any such behavior are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in such behavior, the conference organisers, after careful review where all parties involved will have an opportunity to present their side, may take any action they deem appropriate, including: a formal or informal warning to the offender, expulsion from the conference with no refund, barring from participation in future conferences or their organization, reporting the incident to the offender’s local institution or funding agencies, or reporting the incident to local law enforcement. A response of "just joking" will not be accepted; behavior can be harassing without an intent to offend. If action is taken, an appeals process will be made available.

Reporting?

If you have concerns related to your inclusion at that conference, or observe someone else's difficulties, or have any other concerns related to inclusion, please contact the COLT organizers by email at [email protected]; conference volunteers will also have this contact information and can assist with connecting you to the organizers. Complaints and violations will be handled at the discretion of the program chairs, local chairs and the conference steering committee. It is intended that reports made during the conference will be responded to in less than 24 hours; those at other times in less than two weeks. We are prepared and eager to help participants contact relevant help services, to escort them to a safe location, or to otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the conference. Threats or acts of retaliation against individuals who report inappropriate conduct pursuant to this Policy or provide information in connection with a report by another individual will not be tolerated. In the event you believe that you have been retaliated against for such action, you may use the above procedures to report the pertinent facts. We gratefully accept feedback from the community on policy and actions; please contact us at [email protected].

This code of conduct is largely based on the NIPS Code of Conduct.