ISRR inclusion statement and code of conduct
INCLUSION STATEMENT
Diversity and inclusion are core values of the International Society of Root Research. We are committed to cultivating and supporting a diverse membership, with inclusion, openness, and respect. Diverse groups are demonstrated to be more productive and creative, and better able to answer key questions. We encourage all interested people to explore roots and their roles in nature, independent of their age, disability, ethnicity, gender identity, immigration status, national origin, race, religion, sexual orientation, and socio-economic status.
As an international society, it is our priority to increase diversity and facilitate change.
ISRR CODE OF CONDUCT
ISRR Code of Conduct ISRR members educate, mentor, advise, and nurture future generations of root scientists; they work to increase understanding of roots, as well as science in general, in academic settings and among stakeholders and the general public; they advocate in support of root research; they work to convey the relevance and importance of roots; and they provide expertise in policy decisions world-wide. Overall, ISRR members, as representatives of the society, work to disseminate information and excitement about roots, especially through ISRR advocacy, outreach activities, conferences, and associated publications. It is a duty of the ISRR Presidential Team and Executive Committee to ensure that the organization uphold its stated purposes, goals, and mission the Executive Committee will enact a Code of Conduct to carry out this duty. The Executive Committee is also permitted to take necessary disciplinary action if member conduct is contrary to ISRR’s purposes and/or would adversely affect its ability to achieve its purposes, goals, and mission. ISRR’s credibility and ability to advance root research depends on and reflects upon the integrity and reputation of its members. Membership of the ISRR is predicated on its members adhering to certain standards of conduct, and so, by virtue of their membership, ISRR members agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.
ISRR members shall treat all individuals in the professional enterprise collegially and with respect, including supervisors, colleagues, other ISRR members, students, other early-career colleagues, technical and clerical staff, and members of the public.
ISRR members must refrain from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and bullying (as defined below) in their professional encounters. This professional standard is especially important when the interactions involve power differentials, because these behaviours have adverse impacts on the careers of scientists and the proper conduct of science. Discrimination is prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups of people based on their race, ethnicity, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, veteran status, political affiliation, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws. Sexual harassment is defined as unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Other types of harassment include any written, verbal, physical or other conduct in any medium directed at individuals or groups of people because of their race, ethnicity, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, veteran status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment. Bullying is not tolerated and defined as unwelcome, aggressive behaviour involving the use of influence, threat, intimidation, or coercion to dominate others in the professional environment. It is essential to remember that it is the perception by the observer and/or receiver of any of the above, not the intent by the alleged perpetrator, that constitutes a violation of the code of conduct.
ISRR members are expected to adhere to their employers’ codes of conduct and/or ethics that pertain to professional activities, research, teaching, and/or scholarship.
ISRR members shall carry out their professional activities, including research and publishing, with integrity and the highest standards. ISRR members shall not commit scientific misconduct, defined as fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism. Scientific error or incorrect interpretation of research data that may occur as part of the scientific process does not constitute scientific misconduct. ISRR members shall avoid detrimental practices that are clear violations of the fundamental tenets of scholarship, which include operating as fair and objective peer reviewers, maintaining confidentiality when requested, promptly moving to correct the literature when errors in their own work are detected, including all deserving authors on publications, and giving appropriate credit to prior work in citations.
ISRR members shall disclose all relevant relationships, financial or otherwise, and conflicts of interest that might be perceived to influence the outcome of their ISRR-related work.
ISRR members shall not retaliate against any individual reporting an alleged violation of any ISRR code of conduct.
The above expectations cover all professional activities independent of location.
PROCESS FOR REPORTING, EVALUATING, AND ADJUDICATING ALLEGED VIOLATIONS
ISRR is not an investigative body and will not conduct any investigation and, when relevant to the allegation, will rely on investigative reports and/or public announcement of findings or actions taken (or links thereto) from a credible body, such as state agencies, other professional organizations, an academic institution, a court of law, or admission(s) of conduct by the accused. Reference to, or inclusion of, such information is required in an allegation. All allegations of violations of this code of conduct will be referred in writing to the President of the Society. The person(s) submitting the allegation is referred to here as the Notifier(s). The ISRR member that is the subject of the allegation is referred to here as the defendant. Notifiers making oral allegations will be advised by the President that no action will be taken by the Society unless the allegation is made in writing, and anonymous requests cannot be accepted. The President will consult with the ISRR presidential leadership team and the Executive Committee to determine if the allegation is substantiated with appropriate documentation; and if the majority agree, then the allegation will be referred to a three-member ad hoc code of conduct committee. The ad hoc code of conduct committee will evaluate the allegation and make recommendations or provide an evaluation to the Executive Committee, who will make the final decision by majority vote. Members of the Executive Committee with potential or documented conflicts of interest related to the allegation must declare these conflicts and recuse themselves. Possible decisions include removals or suspensions of membership and/or the privilege to attend an ISRR-sponsored meeting or event for a specified period of time. After this period, the individual may renew their membership and/or resume attending conferences. If the allegation is against the President, the Presidential team will consult with the Executive Committee to determine if the allegation is substantiated with appropriate documentation; and if the majority concludes that there are grounds for concern, then they will refer the allegation and supporting materials to the above ad hoc code of conduct committee. If the allegation includes one of the leadership (current, past or president-elect), the President will consult with the Secretary and the two members of Executive Committee to determine if the allegation is substantiated with appropriate documentation; and if they conclude that there are grounds for concern, refer it to an ad hoc code of conduct committee. In the latter case, the ad hoc committee will be appointed by the Secretary, and the leadership involved (president or president-elect) must recuse themselves from the deliberations and decisions. If for any cases the Executive Committee fails to reach a majority decision (in the situation with an even number of voting members because one member has recused themselves and there is a tie vote) or it lacks a quorum (that is, two or more Executive Committee members must recuse themselves), the deciding body will consist of remaining Executive Committee members and the members of the ad hoc code of conduct committee. In all instances, the President, in consultation with the presidential leadership team, will determine whether or not legal review is necessary before the Society takes action. After a decision is made, the defendant will be notified in writing within 30 calendar days by the President of the decision and of any action that will be taken by the Society. In the event of a decision that includes removals or suspensions of membership or suspensions of attendance at ISRR-sponsored events, the defendant may appeal this decision to the Executive Committee. Such an appeal must be filed in writing within 14 days of receipt of the decision. The Executive Committee will evaluate the appeal and either accept or reject the appeal directly, or refer the appeal to the ad hoc code of conduct committee for their re-evaluation. The final decision on the appeal will be made by the Executive Committee. The notifier will be informed in writing of the outcome of the process within 30 calendar days after the time period for submission of an appeal has passed or after a decision on the appeal is made by the Executive Committee.
REPORT OF ACTIVITIES
All information relating to allegations and subsequent inquiries will be kept confidential by the ad hoc code of conduct committee, any other Society members, and staff working on the matter and will not be disclosed to any third parties, unless considered necessary according to other aspects of this policy. All actions, including telephone calls, must be documented for all situations, even those resolved immediately. The ad hoc code of conduct committee will prepare an annual report of its activities and submit it to the Presidential leadership group and the Executive Committee at their first meeting of the calendar year. A redacted report will be included in the public documents from the AGM meeting, available to members on the ISRR website.
Approved by the ISRR Executive Committee Date October 2024
ISRR CONFERENCE CODE OF CONDUCT
As part of its overall code of conduct, ISRR is committed to ensuring that all its conferences are a welcoming and inclusive space for sharing ideas and knowledge. To this end, ISRR will provide a safe and productive environment that promotes collegiality, respect, and equal opportunity for all.
All conference participants agree to refrain from all forms of discrimination, harassment, and bullying (as defined below) in their interactions during the conference. This professional standard is especially important when interactions involve power differentials, because these behaviours have adverse impacts on the careers of scientists and the proper conduct of science. This code of conduct applies to all participants of and virtual aspects of conferences, including but not limited to attendees, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, staff, contractors, volunteers, and any other viewers.
Among the behaviours that will not be tolerated are the following:
Discrimination: the prejudicial treatment of individuals or groups of people based on their race, ethnicity, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws.
Sexual harassment: the unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Bullying: the unwelcome, aggressive behaviour involving the use of influence, threat, intimidation, or coercion to dominate others in the professional environment.
Speech that is not welcome or that is personally offensive, whether it is based on ethnicity, race, gender, age, body size, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other reason unrelated to scientific merit.
Deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate contact, and unwelcome attention through any medium.
Other types of harassment include any written, verbal, or other conduct in any medium directed at individuals or groups of people because of their race, ethnicity, colour, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, religion, disability, veteran status, political affiliation or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, that creates an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.
Behaviour that is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another, so we ask that you use discretion to be sure that respect is communicated. Harassment intended in a joking manner nevertheless constitutes unacceptable behaviour. Retaliation for reporting harassment is also a violation of this policy, as is reporting an incident in bad faith. It is essential to remember that it is the perception by the observer and/or receiver of any of the above, not the intent by the perpetrator, that constitutes a violation of the code of conduct.
REPORTING HARASSMENT
Any harassment, whether experienced directly or witnessed, should be reported promptly to Hannah Schneider, Executive Secretary of the Society (schneiderh@ipk-gatersleben.de). All complaints will be taken seriously and responded to promptly. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent that it does not compromise the rights of others.
WHAT WE WILL DO
Once we have received a harassment complaint, ISRR will promptly:
Privately get in contact with the complainant to discuss the details of the situation they encountered
Contact the alleged offender to discuss the complaint
Report findings to the ISRR president who will determine next steps
Consult with the complainant before taking any action
Seek legal counsel as appropriate
ISRR reserves the right to remove an individual from the conference without warning or refund, prohibit attendance at future conferences, and notify the individual’s employer and federal funding agencies.
For any questions about the policy, please contact Hannah Schneider, Executive Secretary of the International Society of Root Research (schneiderh@ipk-gatersleben.de)