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 (including all those involved in making recordings), sponsors, and volunteers at our conference and conference-sponsored events---are required to act in accordance with this code of conduct during the event, on recordings made to be presented as part of 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, productive, and welcoming environment for everybody.

Policy

The conference commits itself to providing a conference experience for all participants that is free from harassment, bullying, discrimination, intimidation, personal attacks, unnecessary disruption of talks or other events, retaliation, and behavior that interferes with another's full participation or may create an inappropriate or toxic environment. This includes offensive comments related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, medical condition, disability, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, religion (or lack thereof), or any other personal characteristics.

The policy also includes scientific misconduct or unprofessional behavior such as sharing registration codes.

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.

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, or reporting the incident to the offender’s local institution or funding agencies. 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 the conference, or observe someone else's difficulties, or have any other concerns related to inclusion, please contact the COLT organizers by email at conduct@learningtheory.org. 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 diversity and inclusion chairs. 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 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. If 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 conduct@learningtheory.org.

(Adapted largely from the NeurIPS code of conduct.)