Meeting Policies

Diversity Statement

The American Crystallographic Association is committed to diversity and inclusiveness in our membership, as well as in all activities, events, and programs, and services. Scientific innovation requires bringing together both diverse ideas and people from varied backgrounds who may have different world views and ways of solving problems. The ACA seeks to include and engage members across age, gender identity and expression, race, nationality, ethnicity, physical ability, marital status, sexual orientation, socioeconomic status, military or veteran status, or any other facet of social diversity in our society and seeks to remove obstacles to their professional growth and advancement. Through our actions at the international, national, and local levels, we strive to promote inclusion in academic, industrial, and government institutions for both current and future members of our organization.

Conference Policy

The ACA recognizes the positive impact that a conference speaking opportunity has on an individual's track record and visibility. We also recognize that some sections of the scientific community are often under-represented in conference programs, and that this can affect diversity in the long-term. Our policies were developed to ensure quality and equality.

Speaker Invitation Policy

The program chairs will ensure the highest quality scientific program, with speakers that represent the broad diversity of our community. We aim to achieve a speaker and program chair balance that reflects the make-up of our community without bias with regard to gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, race, religion, geography, disabilities, or national origin.

Reporting Policy

We will report statistics on the conference website on the geographic and gender balance of invited speakers, selected speakers, session chairs, and attendees.

Code of Conduct Policy

[Wording of this policy generously provided by American Geophysical Union]

The ACA Meeting is an annual event providing scientists from a wide variety of backgrounds the opportunity to exchange cutting-edge ideas and techniques in multiple areas of research. Each meeting highlights various aspects of crystallography and demonstrates their significance to the greater scientific community. ACA is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and ACA staff. All participants, including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, ACA staff, service providers and others are expected to abide by this ACA Meetings Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to all ACA meetings and meeting-related events, including those sponsored by organizations other than ACA but held in conjunction with ACA events, in public or private facilities.

This code of conduct will be in force after ratification by the Council of the ACA on the 24th day of March 2016:

Expected Behavior

  • All participants, attendees, ACA staff, and vendors should treat each other with respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.

  • They should be considerate, respectful, and collaborative with others.

  • They should communicate openly with respect for others, critiquing ideas rather than individuals.

  • They should avoid personal attacks directed toward other attendees, participants, ACA staff, and suppliers/vendors.

  • They should be mindful of their surroundings and their fellow participants. ACA staff should be alerted if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.

  • They should respect the rules and policies of the meeting venue, hotels, ACA contracted facility, or any other venue.

Unacceptable Behavior

  • Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form will not be tolerated.

  • Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, ACA staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest will not be tolerated.

  • Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, ACA staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.

  • Recording or taking photography of another individual's presentation without the explicit permission of ACA is not allowed.

  • Disruption of talks at oral or poster sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by ACA at the meeting venue, hotels, or other ACA contracted facilities.

Consequences

  • Anyone requested to cease unacceptable behavior will be expected to comply immediately.

  • ACA staff (or their designee) or security may take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting or the conference without warning or refund.

  • ACA reserves the right to prohibit attendance by anyone violating this code of conduct at any future meeting.

  • For repeated or flagrant violations membership in ACA may be cancelled or suspended by action of a majority of the executive board.

Reporting Unacceptable Behavior

  • If you are the subject of unacceptable behavior or have witnessed any such behavior, please immediately notify an ACA staff member or ACA volunteer in a leadership position.

  • Notification should be done by contacting an ACA staff person on site or by emailing your concern to aca@hwi.buffalo.edu.

  • Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety is advised to contact 911 and locate a hotel house phone and ask for security.