The Palaeontological Association aims to create an inclusive and diverse environment within the palaeontological community, and to protect members from harassment and discrimination. The Code of Conduct applies to all Palaeontological Association individuals carrying out related activities, including students, professionals, amateurs and retired members, and must also be respected by individuals in any professional workplace.
The Palaeontological Association (‘The Association’) and its membership will not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, ethnic origins, immigration status, religion, age, marital status, parental status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, socioeconomic background, educational background, or disability. All members should promote a culture of scientific and research integrity, respect, fairness, and inclusivity and be aware of and avoid conflicts of interest.
Any behaviour that affects or causes damage to a person or a group on the basis of the aforementioned categories is unacceptable and prohibited by this Code of Conduct. Inappropriate behaviours include harassment of any form; physical, verbal, sexual, and written abuse; bullying; stalking; photographing and recording others without their consent; displaying or distributing inappropriate images and recordings; emotional, professional, and financial threats; fabrication or falsification of data or results; plagiarism.
Trustees and employees of the Association and all recipients of grants are required to sign a Professional Standards and Behaviour self-declaration form to declare whether or not they have been sanctioned or found at fault as the result of a complaint, investigation or other proceeding relating to their professional conduct. Members nominating others for an award are required to sign a third-party Professional Standards and Behaviour declaration stating whether, to the best of their knowledge, the person they are nominating has ever been sanctioned or found at fault as the result of a complaint, investigation or other proceeding relating to their professional conduct. Previous sanctions or finding-of-fault in an investigation does not necessarily preclude an individual from serving as a Trustee, employee, or receiving a grant or award.
Reporting
Anyone subject to or witnessing behaviour that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public or individual safety or a criminal act should contact local law enforcement. Those witnessing a potential criminal act should also take the actions necessary to maintain their own personal safety.
If you have been subject to or witnessed prohibited behaviour, it should be reported via the form:
Report code of conduct violation here
Reporting Procedure
1. Reports will be received by The Association’s Executive Officer and Ethics Committee Chair and receipt will be automatically acknowledged. The Ethics Committee Chair will convene a committee comprising the President and three Council members (who could include the Vice Presidents, members of the Ethics Committee, the Diversity Officer, or another appropriate senior member of Council who is also a Trustee) and a committee Chair appointed. If any of these individuals is one of, has a close relationship with, or is a professional collaborator of, any of the parties involved, they should recuse themselves and the President or the Vice President will identify a replacement from among Council members.
2. The Committee will meet no later than 21 days after receiving the report to discuss it and decide if any further action should be taken. With the exception of whistleblowing concerns (see below), the Ethics Committee is not an investigatory body and will therefore decide whether further action should be taken on the basis of the evidence provided by the complainant.
3. If further action is favoured, a second meeting is held. In addition to the original committee, an appropriate independent member who is not a member of the Palaeontological Association (e.g., a senior officer in a learned society) will be invited. The Subject of the enquiry (the party or parties whose behaviour is reported to be in breach of the Ethics Code) will be invited to attend in order that they have the opportunity to give answers to the issues raised. The Subject may have one person attend this meeting with them.
4. After this meeting, a summary report detailing the situation and the Committee’s recommendations will be prepared by the Chair and shared with Council for comment, clarification, and a final decision. Ideally, each investigation should be concluded no later than 60 days from receiving the report. All investigations will be conducted under strict confidentiality.
5. The final report will then be shared with all relevant parties and the Subject will be notified that a decision has been reached.
6. The options for censure by the Association include written reprimand or warning, removal from Association positions, suspension from presenting at Association meetings, suspension from attending future Association activities (including events, field trips, short courses and meetings), suspension from submission of manuscripts to Palaeontology and Papers in Palaeontology, suspension of Association membership, expulsion from the Association, and/or denial or revocation of grants and awards. These sanctions may be for a predetermined duration or permanent. If a member is deemed to have violated the Association’s Ethics Code and it has been determined that sanctions are necessary, the Association reserves the right to contact affiliated societies, funding agencies, and the sanctioned member's home institution(s) regarding member misconduct as part of the Association's due-diligence in reporting prohibited behaviour that may breach the non-discrimination and/or harassment policies of our associates.
7. Any party named in an allegation (either accuser or accused) has leave to appeal on the basis that new facts have come to light after the enquiry has been completed or that a mistake was made in conducting the enquiry. The written appeal must be sent to both the Executive Officer and the Chair of the Ethics Committee.
If allegations pertain to criminal activity or pose a risk to public safety, the allegation(s) will be reported to the appropriate authorities.