BARS Conference 2024
University of Glasgow
Code of Conduct
General Statement of Principles
We want the BARS Conference 2024 to be a professional, courteous, and tolerant event, where colleagues from diverse backgrounds and experiences are able to work collaboratively and discuss complex (and sometimes challenging) issues with patience, generosity, and care for others present.
We aim to provide a safe and harassment-free environment at this conference for everyone regardless of age, sex, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, (dis)ability, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, nationality, marital status, religious beliefs, childbirth- and pregnancy-related medical conditions or childcare requirements.
The University of Glasgow and the British Association for Romantic Studies commit to treating everyone involved in the conference, from delegates and venue staff to volunteer helpers, with dignity and respect. We expect the same from everyone attending the conference and provide this Code of Conduct to clarify what this entails. This expectation applies both to the on-campus conference, and to the online conference.
By registering for this conference, you agree to abide by the expectations of this code of conduct.
Sexual Harassment and Bullying
Sexual harassment and/or bullying behaviour by anyone associated with this conference will not be tolerated.
As defined by the University of Glasgow (and derived from the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service):
- Harassment is unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual.
- Bullying is offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means that undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient.
The University of Glasgow’s glossary of terms on sexual harassment and gender-based violence can be accessed here.
This code of conduct also concerns (but is not limited to): homophobia, transphobia, gender discrimination, body shaming, ableism (whether with regard to physical, sensory, or mental dis/ability or impairment), racism, classism, and ageism.
Accordingly, the following behaviours are not acceptable:
- Verbal conduct such as epithets; derogatory jokes or comments which (whether directly or through innuendo) are intended to hurt, demean, intimidate, exclude, or humiliate; slurs; or unwanted sexual advances, invitations, or comments, whether in person or via electronic messages.
- Insulting forms of non-verbal conduct such as derogatory gestures, or the sustained disruption of academic talks, and / or other academic or social events or gatherings.
- Physical conduct such as assault, unwanted touching, blocking normal movement, or interfering with a member’s participation in the Symposium.
- Plagiarism, forgery, and / or any form of unaccredited or manipulative use of the work, research, or labour of colleagues.
- Retaliation for having reported or threatened to report harassment.
These lists are for the purpose of clarification, but they are not exhaustive. Individuals asked to stop any inappropriate behaviour are expected to comply immediately.
Reporting
During and after the conference, the conference team will provide all delegates with a set of contacts for the reporting of inappropriate behaviour, and on-campus contacts for emergencies.
Please note that the safety and well-being of everyone at the conference is a responsibility we all share. Delegates may wish to familiarise themselves with the concept of responding as an ‘active bystander’ should they witness an incident.
Details of the University of Glasgow’s Together Against Gender-Based Violence campaign can be accessed here.
UofG BARS Conference Committee, 18 March 2024