CIRADA Code of Conduct

This policy has been adapted from the LSST Dark Energy Science Collaboration Professional Conduct Policies ("LSST DESC Code of Conduct"), v1.1 (January 3 2017), which is licensed for modification and re-use according to Creative Commons CC0 1.0.

Statement of Values

CIRADA is a large project with members from many different backgrounds. Together we aim to conduct rigorous and influential scientific activity, while treating everyone with respect, equity and dignity. In pursuing our work, we make the following commitments:

• We recognise that a diverse team strengthens our research by broadening our perspectives and approaches.
• We will maintain at all times a collegial, professional and inclusive environment, free from harassment, discrimination, bullying or other harmful behaviour.
• We will treat everyone with dignity, courtesy and respect, independent of background, age, career stage or career path.
• We will be respectful of others' right to express their own points of view.
• We commit to helping students and postdocs maximise their potential, to providing constructive and professional feedback on their work, and to ensuring that their contributions are recognised.

We will strive to deal with concerning situations constructively and collegially as they arise. However, for serious incidents, the procedures described below will be invoked.

Discrimination

Members of CIRADA should treat each other with equity and respect, regardless of personal attributes including but not limited to: (alphabetically) age, disability, ethnicity, gender, gender expression, gender identity, lactation, nationality, physical appearance, political affiliation, pregnancy, race, religion, sexual orientation, and status as a caregiver (including as a parent).

Harassment

CIRADA does not tolerate verbal, non-verbal or physical harassment of any kind. Behaviours and language acceptable to one person may not be to another. Members must make every effort to ensure that words and actions communicate respect for others. In particular, sexual harassment is not tolerated in CIRADA, including but not limited to inappropriate verbal and physical conduct, unwelcome sexual advances, and requests for sexual favours.

Bullying

Bullying in any form, including but not limited to physical bullying, verbal abuse, disparagement, intimidation, exclusion, spreading personal rumours, is not tolerated in CIRADA.

Scientific Misconduct

Members of CIRADA must perform research in a well-documented and ethically sound manner. Falsification of data or results, plagiarism, violations of other CIRADA Policies, taking credit for others’ work, knowingly competing with student projects (even once the data become publicly available), or any other scientific misconduct will all be considered violations of this Code of Conduct.

CIRADA Meetings

The Code of Conduct also applies when CIRADA members come together for in-person meetings or virtual conferences, as well as at all other times when people are interacting on a CIRADA project. A CIRADA meeting may also have its own additional Code of Conduct.

Implementation

All CIRADA members are expected to abide by this Code of Conduct, and prospective members must agree to the terms of the Code of Conduct as a condition of acceptance into CIRADA. CIRADA members are granted membership privileges at the discretion of the CIRADA PI, and such privileges may be revoked by the CIRADA PI upon reasonable grounds, including but not limited to violations of this Code of Conduct.

Any member of CIRADA with a concern about a violation of the Code of Conduct for CIRADA-related work may make a formal complaint to or undertake confidential consultation with the CIRADA PI.

In the case of a formal complaint, the CIRADA PI will designate two members of the CIRADA Science Board to hear both sides of the complaint, and if appropriate, consult witnesses. The CIRADA PI is responsible for ensuring the timely resolution of any formal complaints. If the grievance process could affect normal working group activities, relevant working group or survey group chairs will be notified of the investigation in confidence. If the complaint is upheld, the CIRADA PI will have a range of actions at their disposal to remedy the situation, up to and including removal from CIRADA. In addition, the CIRADA PI reserves the right to remove a member from CIRADA without formal investigation based on sanction or censure by the member’s department, institution, or professional society for activity that constitutes a violation of the CIRADA Code of Conduct or places CIRADA members at risk. The CIRADA PIs will communicate the outcome of any investigation only to the complainant(s), the respondent(s) and the line manager(s) (if relevant).

If the Code of Conduct violation relates to the CIRADA PI, this should be reported to any other member of the CIRADA Science Board. The CIRADA Science Board will then convene an independent committee (not the CIRADA PI or CIRADA Science Board members) who will be afforded the power to investigate and make recommendations to the CIRADA Science Board for resulting actions.

Retaliation toward a CIRADA member who pursues any of these options, or toward anyone assisting either in the reporting process or in the investigation of a formal complaint, is a violation of this Code.

In no circumstance does the CIRADA Code of Conduct supplant laws or institutional policies or requirements to which members of CIRADA or home institutions are subject, including reporting requirements these individuals or entities may have. It is understood that CIRADA members may report allegations of violations to home institutions, government agencies, or local authorities for investigation per applicable laws, regulations, and policies. The CIRADA PI is available for confidential consultation about any CIRADA-related issue or concern.

This Code of Conduct shall not be construed as creating any employer-employee, joint venture, partnership, duty, trust, obligation to pay, or other relationship between CIRADA, member institutions, grantors, funding institutions or agencies, home institutions, or members, including the CIRADA CI or any CIRADA committees or groups. Although CIRADA encourages all members to abide by this Code of Conduct, CIRADA members and their affiliated institutions waive any and all claims, liabilities, or damages against CIRADA, member institutions, grantors, funding institutions or agencies, home institutions, and CIRADA members involved in implementing the Code of Conduct arising from the enforcement of, or failure to enforce, this Code of Conduct