Policy Against Harassment at HPI Digital Health Innovation Forum
The open exchange of ideas is central to the mission of Digital Health Innovation Forum. This requires an environment that embraces diversity and provides a safe, welcoming environment for all. This policy applies to all conference-related activities, including:
- all conference sessions and events sponsored by the conference
- all ancillary events and unofficial social gatherings, even those outside the conference venue
- exchanges among committees or other bodies associated with Digital Health Innovation Forum, including social media.
Expected Behavior
We expect all participants at Digital Health Innovation Forum activities to abide by this policy:
- Exercise respect in your speech and actions.
- Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and your fellow participants: for example, other people may hear inappropriate comments even if they are not your intended audience.
- Alert community leaders and get involved (if safe and possible) when you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of this policy, even if they seem inconsequential.
Unacceptable Behavior
Unacceptable at any conference 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 their 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 conference 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;
- using an activity-related communication channel to display or distribute sexually explicit images or messages;
Unacceptable behaviors include, but are not limited to:
- intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory or demeaning speech or actions by any participant in conference activities, at all related events and in one-on-one communications carried out in the context of conference activities;
- offensive, degrading, humiliating, harmful, or prejudicial verbal or written comments or visual images related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, disability, age, appearance, or other personal characteristics;
- inappropriate or unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature;
- inappropriate or gratuitous use of nudity, sexual images, or stereotyped images including using an activity-related communication channel to display or distribute sexually explicit or otherwise offensive or discriminatory images or messages;
- deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following;
- harassing photography or recording;
- sustained disruption of talks or other events;
- repeated unwelcome and uninvited attention or contact of a sexual or romantic nature;
- physical assault (including unwelcome touch or groping);
- real or implied threat of physical harm;
- real or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm.
Harassment can occur when there is no deliberate intention to offend. Be careful in the words that you choose. Harassment committed in a joking manner or disguised as a compliment still constitutes unacceptable behavior. Remember that sexist, racist, and other exclusionary jokes can be offensive to those around you.
Reporting and Support
If you feel that you have experienced harassment or witness an incident involving harassment, you are encouraged to contact the DHIF-Team.
The team will be present at the conference (including at the registration desk) and 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 should you decide to make a formal complaint.
You can reach the DHIF-Team in person during the event or via email at dhif@hpi.de.
All matters will be treated confidentially to the extent possible.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
If a participant at Digital Health Innovation Forum engages in prohibited behavior, the conference leaders 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 conference without warning or refund. Appropriate sanctions will also be taken toward any individual who knowingly makes a false allegation of harassment.
This code of conduct is based on the recommendation of the ad hoc committee to Combat Harassment and Discrimination in the Theory of Computing Community.