This code of conduct is adapted from the Association for Logic, Language and Information (FoLLI) and the Linguistic Society of America (LSA).

The Omnes Voces Acceptamus (OVA) summer school aims for a welcoming, pleasant, and inclusive atmosphere for all participants. Every participant is welcome and respected. By the same token, all participants are expected to treat each other with respect and tolerance. To foster an atmosphere of tolerance and respect, participants are expected to interact with others in a respectful and courteous manner, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical appearance, religious affiliation, creed, marital status, socioeconomic status, differing abilities, medical conditions, personal characteristics, political orientation, technology choices, food choices, or any other differentiating factors. All persons, organizations, and entities involved with OVA are subject to the standards of conduct set forth below. Participants at OVA events are expected to abide by this code of conduct and encourage tolerance and respect. Everyone should feel empowered to engage in a civil manner when they or others are disrespected, and to raise awareness and understanding of this code of conduct.

Civility policy

No kind of harassment will be tolerated (including abusive, racist, sexist, homophobic, intimidating, harassing, or threatening behavior, be it towards another participant, organizer, or local denizen). Harassment includes, but is not limited to:

  • verbal attacks, unwarranted incriminations, bullying, or offensive comments;
  • aggressive or intimidating behavior;
  • unwelcome sexual attention;
  • inappropriate physical contact;
  • deliberate intimidation or stalking either in person or online;
  • purposeful misinformation aimed to disorient and/or cover up other misdeeds (gaslighting);
  • pornographic and racist images or materials in public spaces;
  • sustained disruption during presentations and other events;
  • encouraging or advocating any of the above behaviors.

Good faith

Since OVA aims to include scholars and students from all over the world and of different cultural backgrounds, participants may have varied sensitivities and actions may sometimes be inadvertently perceived as offensive due to the lack of awareness rather than due to malice or ill intent: a common word in one language may have acquired negative connotations in another, an abbreviation may have both innocent and obscene meanings, a gesture of politeness in one culture may have become associated with inequality in another. When such cultural differences may be involved, it is important to hear both sides, in line with a reasonable assumption of good faith.

Academic freedom of speech

Disagreements, scientific or otherwise, should be dealt with in a rational, respectful, and civilized discussion; we affirm the understanding that academic consensus may sometimes be elusive, especially on matters of taste, belief, or social policy, and that the expression or the critique of a contested academic viewpoint does not in itself constitute harassment, as long as it is done in a respectful way; correspondingly, we affirm that it is sometimes necessary to simply respect each other’s position (without necessarily agreeing), or to seek open, public discourse on contested issues. We also affirm that presenters may discuss material that is sensitive as long as this is done in a respectful way where the material is adequately contextualized in line with academic inquiry. By contrast, aggressive discussion styles (including ad hominem comments) that are aimed to intimidate, marginalize, belittle, or disparage others (or their research area) are unacceptable.

Raising concerns

We are committed to maintaining a respectful, inclusive, and safe environment for all participants. If you experience or witness behavior that undermines this, we encourage you to bring it to the attention of the organizers. Doing so allows concerns to be addressed in a timely and appropriate manner. If you would prefer not to raise a concern yourself, you may ask a trusted person to do so on your behalf. Concerns can be shared in person to an organizer or in an email to the organizers (ovasummerschool@gmail.com). All concerns will be handled with care and with as much confidentiality as possible. In some cases, organizers may be required by law or university policy to share relevant information with appropriate authorities.

Process and response

The summer school organizers are committed to taking appropriate actions to prevent and/or stop any behavior designed to, or with the clear impact of, disrupting the school or making the environment hostile for any participants. When a concern is raised, the organizers will review the information available and speak with those involved, as well as others who have relevant knowledge of the situation. Individuals whose conduct is in question will have the opportunity to respond. Following this review, the organizers will determine whether the behavior constitutes a breach of the Code of Conduct and decide on an appropriate course of action. Possible outcomes include:

  • no response (if the behavior is found to not constitute a violation);
  • a warning to the participant that their behavior constitutes a minor violation, but that continued behavior would constitute a major violation; and
  • expulsion from the summer school and a report of the incident to the following year’s organizers, which may lead to expulsion from future schools (if the behavior is found to constitute a major violation)

Participants are expected to comply with the Code of Conduct and with reasonable requests made by the organizers.