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Annual Meeting Conduct Policy Guidance

About the Policy Guidance

The American Educational Research Association (AERA) is committed to providing a safe, inclusive, welcoming, and productive environment for all AERA Meetings and Events. As detailed in the AERA Policy Guidance on Inclusive and Welcoming Meeting and Event Environments, AERA expects those speaking at or leading such activities or those participating to value and support the diverse, inclusive community that the Association strives to be and that its mission seeks to advance.

What to Do

All participants in AERA meetings and events are expected to adhere to the following standards of conduct:

• Demonstrate respect and consideration for all people;
• Listen well to others; enable or create space for a diversity of voices in group discussions, in breakout sessions, on panels, through Q&A, and the like;
• Be collaborative. Be mindful not to exert dominance over others. Consider the effect of relationship, position, experience, and privilege power differentials, and other factors to avoid dominance;
• Demonstrate that differing perspectives are valued—critique ideas (not people);
• Demonstrate welcome for a diversity of individuals and their identities—be respectful and appreciative of the contributions of persons with wide-ranging (dis)abilities;
• Pay attention to whether individuals of many identities are included on panels, leading sessions, being called on when they raise their hands, and having their points considered;
• Be accessible in how you communicate;
• Answer questions about conduct concerns in a forthright and complete manner (e.g., when registering or during a review of concerns);
• Immediately comply if any convening leader or facilitator of an activity/session/event, or any AERA staff member directs a participant to stop a behavior or comment. Subsequent opportunities to address differences of view or concerns are available by contacting the AERA Executive Director or the Chair of the AERA Ethics Committee at ethics@aera.net;
• Respect and adhere to all policies and procedures of AERA.

What Not to Do

• Do not engage in biased, demeaning, intimidating, coercive, or harassing/hostile conduct or commentary, whether seriously or in jest (e.g., based on power differential, gender [sex, identity, expression], sexual orientation, race, ethnicity or national origin, religion, marital status, veteran status, age, physical appearance, disability, body size or other physical appearance, or other identities);
• Do not engage in personal attacks;
• Do not engage in threats of violence, or threats of harm of any kind. Do not create or contribute to an unsafe or unwelcoming situation;
• Do not retaliate against or disadvantage anyone for reporting a conduct concern or assisting in its resolution. Do not make bad faith accusations;
• Do not (a) take/make (in any medium) any pictures or audio- or visual- recordings of meetings or participants that maliciously portray a situation or person(s) or (b) distribute them (via social media or other means) without explicit authorization by AERA.

Consequences and Reporting Unacceptable Behavior

Consequences that may be imposed for violations of this conduct policy include removal from participation, preclusion of participation in future AERA events, and other actions as set forth in the AERA Policies and Procedures of the Ethics Committee (2012). 

• Make a Report: Individuals experiencing or observing conduct inconsistent with this guidance at an AERA meeting or event or elsewhere by an individual who is attending or expected to attend an AERA meeting or event are encouraged to report their concerns to the Executive Director or the Chair of the AERA Ethics Committee at ethics@aera.net or by phone at 202-238-3222.
• Contact the Ombuds: Individuals experiencing conduct inconsistent with this guidance at an AERA meeting may also contact the AERA Meeting Ombuds at aeraombuds@gmail.com or (202) 505-3356. The ombuds is a neutral, confidential, informal, and independent resource who is available to hear meeting participants’ concerns and can provide assistance by identifying options and resources to resolve conflicts or issues—including harassment, discrimination, or any violation of AERA’s Code of Ethics or standards of conduct.