V1.0 – May 2026
Purpose
BioFAIR is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and harassment-free environment for everyone participating in our events, training activities, online spaces, and community discussions. To help us achieve this, we ask all organisers, speakers and attendees at BioFAIR events to follow the principles and expectations laid out in this code of conduct.
Principles
We believe that successful events happen when people from all backgrounds come together to have fun and enjoy the free, open exchange of views in respectful, supportive environments.
We think successful events follow when all participants agree to the following shared set of principles:
We value participation from people with different backgrounds, experiences, disciplines, identities, and skill levels
We create environments that are respectful and supportive
We participate actively to learn, collaborate, and contribute
We expect high standards of ethical behaviour in ourselves and others
Expected Behaviour
In line with our principles, all participants are expected to:
- Be respectful, professional and considerate towards others
- Use welcoming and inclusive language
- Be mindful that people may have different backgrounds, experiences, and perspectives
- Give and receive constructive feedback respectfully
- Respect personal boundaries and privacy
- Help create a positive environment for learning and collaboration
- Arrive on time and be prepared to participate
- Respect speakers and other attendees by avoiding interruptions, and minimising disruption from phones, laptops, and other devices
- Stay engaged and attentive during meetings, workshops, and seminars
- Be mindful of shared spaces and leave rooms tidy for others
- Support productive, inclusive discussion by helping meetings stay on topic and on time
Unacceptable Behaviour
BioFAIR does not tolerate harassment, discrimination, intimidation, or exclusionary behaviour in any form. Examples of unacceptable behaviour include:
- Offensive, discriminatory, or derogatory comments or jokes
- Personal attacks, insults, or deliberate intimidation
- Harassment related to gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, religion, age, career stage, or other protected characteristics
- Unwelcome sexual attention or inappropriate physical contact
- Sustained disruption of talks, workshops, discussions, or online activities
- Deliberate exclusion of individuals from discussions or activities
- Inappropriate or unprofessional communication, including in private messages
- Publishing or sharing private information without permission
- Recording or photographing individuals without consent, where consent is expected
Participants asked to stop unacceptable behaviour are expected to comply immediately.
Reporting Concerns
If you experience or witness behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct, please contact a member of the BioFAIR organising team by emailing info@biofair.uk or by talking to one of the two named Code of Conduct contacts appointed at all BioFAIR-led events. All reports will be handled promptly and in confidence.
Response and Enforcement
The BioFAIR organisers reserve the right to take appropriate action in response to behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct. Possible actions may include a private warning, removal from the event or online space and, in extreme cases, restriction from future participation in BioFAIR activities. Organisers will aim to respond fairly, proportionately, and with respect for all involved.
Acknowledgements
This Code of Conduct is informed by and adapted from community guidelines developed by the Software Sustainability Institute (SSI) and Earlham Institute, and related open research and training initiatives.
This Code of Conduct will be updated periodically to reflect the needs of the BioFAIR community.