The field of evolutionary biology is at its best when all of its members are supported by positive, safe, and healthy work environments. To reinforce a welcoming environment for all, the Society for the Study of Evolution (SSE), the Society of Systematic Biologists (SSB) and the American Society of Naturalists (ASN) have appointed a Code of Conduct Committee.
This committee’s charge is to develop and oversee implementation of policies and response procedures on professional behavior and integrity. This effort includes a clear confidential channel for reporting inappropriate behavior, society efforts to communicate the impact of inappropriate behavior, and a call to members of all three societies to adopt and disseminate the message that our Joint Meetings are a safe environment for engaging in scientific activities.
This committee’s charge is to develop and oversee implementation of policies and response procedures on professional behavior and integrity. This effort includes a clear confidential channel for reporting inappropriate behavior, society efforts to communicate the impact of inappropriate behavior, and a call to members of all three societies to adopt and disseminate the message that our Joint Meetings are a safe environment for engaging in scientific activities.
|
SAFE EVOLUTION
The Council of Evolution Societies (ASN, SSB, SSE) are committed to promoting a safe, inclusive, and professional work environment at the Joint Evolution Meetings and ensuring that all activities are free from discrimination, bias or harassment of any type. The SAFE EVOLUTION program was designed to establish standards of appropriate behaviors, to address work-climate related concerns, and to offer support to members who may feel harassed, threatened or unsafe in any way when participating in Joint Meeting programs. If we all engage, we can make the Joint Evolution Meetings a professional and meaningful experience for everyone. SAFE EVOLUTION makes us part of the solution to a persistent problem in academia. |
|
|
TYPES OF INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS
Many different types of inappropriate behaviors, whether written, verbal, or physical, can affect the personal and professional well-being of scientists in the workplace, especially when people misuse their positions of power and influence. Research confirms that these behaviors have highest impact on women and underrepresented demographic groups. In fact, harassment and other inappropriate behaviors in academic environments with low diversity are especially damaging, because the lack of established support networks can lead to feelings of vulnerability and professional isolation. |
Safe Evolution means that every Report of Inappropriate Behavior is Taken Very Seriously
|
REPORTING AN INCIDENT OF HARASSMENT OR INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIOR
For a safer Evolution meeting we all need to speak OUT against harassment and other Inappropriate behaviors.
If you need to report an incident of any unprofessional behavior by society members or other individuals affiliated with Evolution-sponsored activities (conference, workshop, publications, etc.), please contact directly our Evolution Safety Officer:
Dr. Sherry Marts, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO of S*Marts Consulting, LLC
sherry@smartsconsulting.com; Phone: (202) 670-7746
Dr. Marts is an independent professional consultant, hired by the Evolution societies to help us create a meeting environment that is inclusive, safe, and welcoming. Dr. Marts is not an evolutionary biologist and does not have any direct personal connection with members of the societies outside her role as our safety officer. She specializes in strategies to stop harassment and bullying, and has significant experience working with scientific societies to make their meetings safer.
As a safety officer, Dr. Marts will investigate reports of incidents that occur at an Evolution meeting, gather relevant information from all parties, consult confidentially with tri-society executive officers to determine appropriate sanctions and enforcement procedures, maintain records of all reported incidents, and maintain confidentiality of all parties at all times.
If you need to report an incident of any unprofessional behavior by society members or other individuals affiliated with Evolution-sponsored activities (conference, workshop, publications, etc.), please contact directly our Evolution Safety Officer:
Dr. Sherry Marts, Ph.D.
Founder & CEO of S*Marts Consulting, LLC
sherry@smartsconsulting.com; Phone: (202) 670-7746
Dr. Marts is an independent professional consultant, hired by the Evolution societies to help us create a meeting environment that is inclusive, safe, and welcoming. Dr. Marts is not an evolutionary biologist and does not have any direct personal connection with members of the societies outside her role as our safety officer. She specializes in strategies to stop harassment and bullying, and has significant experience working with scientific societies to make their meetings safer.
As a safety officer, Dr. Marts will investigate reports of incidents that occur at an Evolution meeting, gather relevant information from all parties, consult confidentially with tri-society executive officers to determine appropriate sanctions and enforcement procedures, maintain records of all reported incidents, and maintain confidentiality of all parties at all times.
MORE INFORMATION/RESOURCES ABOUT INAPPROPRIATE BEHAVIORS IN STEM
- The National Science Foundation recently issued an announcement that they will not tolerate sexual harassment, or any kind of harassment, within the agency, at grantee organizations, field sites, or anywhere NSF-funded science and education are conducted, and they are bolstering their commitment with a number of steps including new policies and reporting procedures.
- The American Geophysical Union has been a leader in efforts to curb inappropriate behaviors in STEM, and are establishing a central clearing house for related resources.
- The House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology conducted a review of misconduct in science.
HOTLINES AND REPORTING RESOURCES
|
National Street Harassment Hotline
Operated by RAINN (see below) with Defend Yourself and Stop Street Harassment. Toll free: 855-897-5910 Live Chat available via the RAINN website. |
Crisis Text Line
Crisis Text Line serves anyone, in any type of crisis, providing access to free, 24/7 support and information via the medium people already use and trust: text. Here’s how it works:
|
|
Directory of State Sexual Assault Hotlines
An A-Z directory of crisis centers and hotlines in the US. Local hotline volunteers will have information about other local resources, including the best way to approach law enforcement and hospitals to get a sympathetic reception. |
These hotlines are resources available within the USA. Members with suggestions for hotlines and resources available internationally, please contact one of the members of the Code of Conduct Committee with suggestions.
