SESP Convention Code of Conduct
The Society of Experimental Social Psychology endorses the following convention code of conduct. Our code borrows heavily from the codes instituted by the Society of Personality and Social Psychology (SPSP) and the Social and Affective Neuroscience Society (SANS). We are pleased to join with them in endorsing a code of conduct that promotes a friendly, safe, supportive and harassment-free environment for all convention attendees and participants, regardless of gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion or other group identity. Harassment of any form has no place in a healthy scientific enterprise.
This code of conduct outlines SESP’s expectations for all convention attendees and participants, including all members, guests, speakers, and volunteers. Any violations will be taken seriously and addressed by the Executive Officer and Executive Committee (see below).
Expected Behavior
SESP expects convention participants to communicate professionally and constructively, whether in person or virtually, handling dissent or disagreement with courtesy, dignity and an open mind, being respectful when providing and receiving scholarly feedback, and being open to alternate points of view. Likewise, when sharing information about the organization or any attendees or participants via public communication channels, SESP expects participants to share responsibly and clearly distinguish individual opinion from fact.
Alcohol is available at evening social networking events during the convention and may be consumed only by those of legal age. Alcohol at SESP events will only be distributed by commercial hosts following local and state statutes, which may include limiting consumption.
Unacceptable Behavior
SESP does not tolerate harassment of convention attendees or participants in any form. Harassment includes offensive verbal or written comments, and negative behavior, either in real or virtual space, including those which are related to or are based upon gender, age, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, religion or other group identity. Harassment can consist of a single intense and severe act or of multiple or pervasive acts that are unwelcomed, demeaning, abusive, offensive, or create a hostile professional environment. Sexual harassment may include unwanted advances by one person toward another in the attempt to engage in physical, sexual, or romantic activity, or verbal or non-verbal conduct that is sexual in nature and non-consensual. Other forms of harassment may include unnecessary, exaggerated, or unwarranted attention or attack, whether verbal or non-verbal, because of a person’s group identity. Harassment also includes deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, and sustained disruption of talks or other events.
Alcohol may not be brought into SESP-sponsored events from outside sources nor may alcohol be consumed by those not of legal age. Because excessive alcohol leads to impaired decision-making, SESP strongly discourages excessive drinking at any point during the convention.
Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior
If an attendee or participant, in either real or virtual space, engages in inappropriate, harassing, abusive or destructive behavior or language, the SESP Executive Committee will determine and carry out the appropriate course of action, including warning the offender, expelling the offender from the convention without refund, and banning the offender from future SESP events and activities.
All participants are expected to observe these rules and behaviors in all convention venues, including online venues and convention social events. Convention participants should feel comfortable and welcomed in professional activities, free from any type of harassment. Please participate responsibly and with respect for the rights of others.
What to do
If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns about an individual’s conduct, please contact Executive Officer Steve Stroessner at info@sesp.org or any member of the Executive Committee. SESP will carefully consider whether it can honor an individual’s request for anonymity while still providing a safe, professional, and nondiscriminatory environment for all.