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Code of Conduct for Palaeontological Association Meetings

The Palaeontological Association was founded in 1957 and has become one of the world's leading learned societies in this field. The Association is a registered charity that promotes the study of palaeontology and its allied sciences through publication of original research and field guides, sponsorship of meetings and field excursions, provision of web resources and information and a programme of annual awards.

The Palaeontological Association holds regular meetings and events throughout the year. The two flagship meetings are the Annual Meeting, held at a different location usually in December each year, and the annual Progressive Palaeontology meeting, run by students for students with the support of the Palaeontological Association. The Association Meetings Code of Conduct relates to the behaviour of all participants and attendees at annual events. There is also a Code of Conduct for Palaeontological Association Members that applies to all members in their professional activities.

Behavioural expectations

It is the expectation of the Palaeontological Association that meeting attendees behave in a courteous, collegial and respectful fashion to each other, volunteers, exhibitors and meeting facility staff. Attendees should respect common sense rules for professional and personal interactions, public behaviour (including behaviour in public electronic communications), common courtesy, respect for private property and respect for intellectual property of presenters. Demeaning, abusive, discriminatory, harassing or threatening behaviour towards other attendees or towards meeting volunteers, exhibitors or facilities staff and security will not be tolerated, either in personal or electronic interactions.

Digital images and social media 

Do not photograph a poster or record a talk without the author’s express permission. While the default assumption is to allow open discussion of presentations on social media, attendees are expected to respect any request by an author to not disseminate the contents of their talk or poster.

Reporting unacceptable behaviour

If you are the subject of unacceptable behaviour or have witnessed any such behaviour, you can report it (anonymously if you choose to) via the Report meeting code of conduct violation form. 

Anyone experiencing or witnessing behaviour that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety, or a criminal act is expected to contact the appropriate law enforcement agency. Those witnessing a potential criminal act should also take actions necessary to maintain their own personal safety.

COVID-19

For the Annual Meeting and Progressive Palaeontology 2022, all delegates are required to comply with local and national COVID-19 guidelines, and the other measures in place to minimise as far as possible the risk associated with COVID-19. These will be detailed on the Meetings & Events webpages and updated as necessary.

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