Our aim is to foster a positive and safe environment where everyone feels free to engage in robust and lively debate of scientific results, methods and theories.  Participants at the Symposium commit to treat each other with respect and consideration, in order to create a safe and welcoming environment for all.

The IAU opposes any discrimination or harassment based on such factors as ethnic origin, religion, citizenship, language, political or other opinion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, or age. Symposium participants agree to abide by the International Science Council principles of Freedom in the Conduct of Science as well as the IAU Code of Conduct for Meetings, at all moments and in all activities associated with the meeting.

Minimum Expected Standards of Behavior

• Do be professional, considerate, respectful and collaborative when interacting with your colleagues.
• Don’t create an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment for any of the participants.
• Don’t engage in physical or verbal abuse of anyone.
• Don’t engage in harassment (see below), intimidation or discrimination in any form.
• Do speak up if you witness unacceptable behavior and/or report it afterward (see below).

Definition of Harassment (from the IAU guidelines)

In general, harassment is a conduct that exerts unwelcome pressure or intimidation. This conduct includes, but is not limited to: epithets, slurs or negative stereotyping; threatening, intimidating or hostile acts; denigrating jokes and display or circulation of written or graphic material that denigrates or shows hostility or aversion toward an individual or group.

Particularly serious is the sexual harassment that refers to unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature. Because of the wide international nature of the IAU, it is important to realize that behavior and language that are welcome/acceptable in one particular cultural environment may be unwelcome/offensive to another. Consequently, individuals must use discretion to ensure that their words and actions communicate respect for others. This is especially important for those in positions of authority since individuals with lower rank or status may be reluctant to express their objections or discomfort regarding unwelcome behavior.

Ethics Committee, getting advice and reporting incidents

The SOC will appoint an Ethics Committee from among the Symposium participants and Organising Committees, whose composition will reflect the cultural, geographical, gender and age diversity of the participants.

If you feel that someone’s conduct falls short of what is expected in this Code of Conduct and/or the above-linked documents from the ISC and the IAU, or if you in general feel unsafe or unwelcome at our conference, or you want to have an informal chat about related issues, then you are welcome to contact one of the members of the Ethics Committee (consisting of Nicole St-Louis, Ben Davies, and Alceste Bonanos) to discuss this informally.  Participants will be provided with a discreet means of contacting the committee members, e.g., in person, by SMS or email.  Your interaction with the Ethics Committee, or an individual member of the Committee, will be entirely confidential and you won’t be asked to confront anyone.

If an incident or issue cannot be resolved informally then a formal complaint can be made, with your agreement, and will be considered by the Ethics Committee. The Committee will bring serious breaches of the Code of Conduct to the SOC and LOC, who have the authority to impose formal sanctions, up to and including exclusion from the Symposium as a last resort. Additionally the SOC is required to report formal complaints to the IAU Assistant General Secretary.