We are is committed to ensuring that Plant Cell Biology International 2020 is a welcoming and inclusive space for sharing ideas and knowledge. To this end, PCBI will provide a safe and productive environment that promotes equal opportunity and treatment for all participants and that is free of harassment and discrimination. This code of conduct applies to all attendees, speakers, exhibitors, staff, contractors, volunteers, and guests; and it applies only to sponsored events at and during the conference. No data presented at the meeting will be reproduced by a third party without permission.

What is Harassment?

All forms of harassment, sexual or otherwise, are prohibited. Among the behaviors that will not be tolerated are the following:
  • Speech that is not welcome or that is personally offensive, whether it is based on ethnicity, race, gender, age, body size, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other reason unrelated to scientific merit.
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome attention.

    • Behavior that is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another, so we ask that you use discretion to be sure that respect is communicated. Harassment intended in a joking manner nevertheless constitutes unacceptable behavior. Retaliation for reporting harassment is also a violation of this policy, as is reporting an incident in bad faith.

    Reporting Harassment

    Any harassment, whether experienced directly or witnessed, should be reported promptly to the PCBI organizers. If the situation feels or seems imminently unsafe, please use a hotel phone and ask for security immediately. All complaints will be taken seriously and responded to promptly. Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent that it does not compromise the rights of others.

    What We Will Do?

    Once we have received a harassment complaint, PCBI will promptly:
  • Meet privately with the complainant to discuss the details of the situation they encountered
  • Meet with the alleged offender
  • Report findings to the PCBI committee who will determine next steps
  • Consult with the complainant before taking any action
  • Seek legal counsel as appropriate

    • PCBI reserves the right to remove an individual from the conference without warning or refund, prohibit attendance at future conferences, and notify the individual’s employer. For any questions about the policy, please contact: Georgia Drakakaki gdrakakaki@ucdavis.edu