EDI safety

Statement of Commitment to Providing a Safe Environment

The organizers of fNIRS 2024 are committed to providing a safe and respectful environment for all attendees, free from discrimination and harassment. We believe that every individual has the right to participate in our conference without fear of harassment, discrimination, or any other form of inappropriate conduct. We are dedicated to promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion, actively addressing any reported incidents, and providing resources for attendees to feel supported.

Expectations of Behavior

All attendees, including but not limited to participants, speakers, sponsors, exhibitors, organizers, and volunteers, are expected to adhere to the following code of conduct:

Treat all individuals with respect, professionalism, and courtesy.
Refrain from engaging in any form of harassment, including but not limited to sexual, racial, ethnic, or otherwise discriminatory behavior (see below).
Respect personal boundaries and consent.
Refrain from engaging in disruptive or offensive behavior.
Comply with all applicable laws and regulations.

Examples of harassment that will not be tolerated include, but are not limited to:

Verbal comments or physical actions of a sexual nature.
Unwelcome advances or propositions.
Racial, ethnic, or gender-based slurs or jokes.
Intimidation or threats.
Unwelcome photography or recording.
Any other conduct that creates a hostile or uncomfortable environment.

Instructions on How to Confidentially Report Alleged Violations

If you experience or witness behavior that violates our code of conduct, we encourage you to report it immediately. You can do so by:

Contacting any conference organizer or staff member in person.
Using the anonymous reporting form available here.

Assessment of Allegations and Consequences

All reports of alleged violations will be promptly and thoroughly investigated by the conference organizers. Depending on the severity and nature of the violation, consequences may include, but are not limited to:

Verbal warning.
Removal from the conference premises without refund.
Reporting to appropriate authorities.
Legal action as deemed necessary.

Information on Reporting to HHS OCR and NIH

Individuals who have questions, concerns, or complaints related to harassment are encouraged to contact the conference organizers or the US Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Office for Civil Rights (OCR). Information on filing a complaint with HHS OCR can be found on OCR’s webpage, Filing a Civil Rights Complaint. Filing a complaint with the conference organizers is not required before filing a complaint of discrimination with HHS OCR. Similarly, that seeking assistance from the conference organizer in no way prohibits filing complaints with HHS OCR. Additionally, individuals can notify the National Institutes of Health (NIH) about concerns of harassment, including sexual harassment, discrimination, and other forms of inappropriate conduct at NIH-supported conferences. Information can be found on NIH’s Find Help webpage.