WALE adopts the recommendations of the SafeTOC report to combat harassment and discrimination in the Theory of Computing community.
All participants at WALE must observe the code of conduct of WALE reported here.
Code of Conduct at WALE
WALE aims to foster an environment conducive to the open exchange of ideas and the formation and strengthening of professional relationships and potential collaborations. This requires an environment that embraces diversity and provides an environment that is safe, welcoming, and promotes the free exchange of ideas for all. For this reason, we do not tolerate actions that contribute to harassment, discrimination, or academic dishonesty in any form. This policy applies to all workshop-related activities, including:
- workshop sessions and events sponsored by the workshop
- ancillary events and unofficial social gatherings, even those outside the workshop venue
- exchanges among committees or other bodies associated with WALE, including those on social media.
Expected Behavior
We expect all participants at WALE activities to abide by the following guidelines:
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and your fellow participants: for example, other people within earshot may feel uncomfortable with your comments even if they are not your intended audience.
- Alert SafeTOC advocates (listed below) or the WALE organizers and intervene (if safe and possible) when you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of these guidelines, even if they seem inconsequential to you. For example, if you are concerned about an individual, you can accompany them so they are not alone, redirect the conversation and check in with the person later, or find an excuse to pull them aside and ask if they are okay.
- Refrain from plagiarizing behavior toward those who speak openly about unpublished ideas.
Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable at any workshop-related activity is:
- Abuse: Any action directed at an individual that (a) interferes substantially with that person’s participation; or (b) causes that person to fear for his/her personal safety. This includes threats, intimidation, bullying, stalking, or other types of abuse.
- Discriminatory Harassment: Any conduct that discriminates or denigrates an individual on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, citizenship, nationality, age, sexual or gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law in the location where the workshop activity takes place.
- Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal/physical conduct of a sexual nature. Examples include (but are not limited to): unwelcome advances or propositions, particularly when one individual has authority over the other; inappropriate touching of an individual’s body; degrading or humiliating comments about an individual’s appearance;
- Plagiarism: Actions that take the ideas of others, without their permission, and pass them off as one’s own, especially those that threaten the open, informal, and collaborative nature of the workshop.
Some important reminders:
- Your words and actions can have impacts even if you had no deliberate intention to offend. If something about your behavior is brought up to you as offensive or harmful, it is important to recognize the impact of your actions, regardless of your intent.
- Behaviors from the list above are unacceptable even if they are done in a joking manner, intended as a joke, or communicated in the form of a compliment.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
If a participant at WALE engages in prohibited behavior, the organizers reserve the right to take any action deemed appropriate to ensure the physical and emotional safety of the attendees, including removing an individual from the workshop without warning or refund. Appropriate sanctions also will be taken toward any individual who knowingly makes a false allegation of misconduct.
Network of Advocates
There will always be at least one trained ToC advocate at every WALE in attendance. If you feel that you have experienced harassment or witnessed an incident involving harassment, you are encouraged to approach the ToC advocate in attendance about the matter. That person can
- provide support and advice to navigate the situation
- take measures to help ensure your safety if you feel at risk
- explain to you what procedures are available to you to make a formal complaint should you decide to do that.
- The ToC advocate will keep the matter strictly confidential if you request, although some ToC advocates are under mandatory reporting obligations if the ToC advocate and the person accused are from the same institution. If for some reason you do not wish to approach one of the attending ToC advocates regarding a harassment incident, it is also possible to contact the workshop organizers.
Reporting Unacceptable Behavior at Workshop Activities
In the event of unacceptable behavior, the best people to approach are the ToC advocates attending the workshop, listed below. If you feel uncomfortable approaching any of the ToC advocates present, then you can approach the organizers. These individuals can provide information about the process for handling complaints or handling immediate onsite needs.
2024 SafeTOC Advocates:
Divya Mohan (lead): divyarthim “at” tau “dot” ac “dot” il
Inbal Talgam-Cohen: inbaltalgam “at” gmail “dot” com