PRIM&R Events Code of Conduct & Policies
PRIM&R centers ethics, honesty, professionalism, and compliance with applicable law in all aspects of the enactment of our mission: to advance the highest ethical standards in the conduct of research. In addition to our mission, PRIM&R’s vision of a world where all who contribute to and benefit from research embrace ethics, welfare, inclusion, and trust as central to science and medicine drives and guides all PRIM&R’s work. Essential to our mission and vision is PRIM&R’s unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice (DEIJ) and our aspiration to foster fair and equitable access to the benefits of science.
The objective of PRIM&R's educational programs and conferences is to provide a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for attendees to increase their knowledge and understanding of ethical and regulatory requirements, learn best practices, grapple with both late-breaking and longstanding challenges, and constructively confer with peers and experts in the research ethics field.
To that end, PRIM&R is committed to ensuring our events and gatherings are an inclusive, respectful, productive, and harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, alienage, or citizenship status, physical or mental ability, color, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, national origin, marital status or partnership status, pregnancy or lactation status, religion or creed, status as a veteran or active military service member, or any other basis protected by U.S. federal, state, or local laws.
This Code of Conduct and Ethics is designed to provide all event attendees, speakers, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, PRIM&R employees, and PRIM&R’s Board of Directors with expectations and clear guidance for appropriate conduct and ethical behavior at PRIM&R events. The Code reflects and gives meaning to PRIM&R’s commitment to the lawful, ethical enactment of its mission. Failure to comply with this Code may be grounds for removal from a PRIM&R event and disqualification from attendance at future PRIM&R events.
All those in attendance at PRIM&R’s events and programs, including, but not limited to, event attendees, speakers, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, PRIM&R employees, and PRIM&R's Board of Directors are expected to abide by the following code of conduct (registration and participation in the offering implies agreement with this code).
The objective of PRIM&R's educational programs and conferences is to provide a safe, respectful, and inclusive environment for attendees to increase their knowledge and understanding of ethical and regulatory requirements, learn best practices, grapple with both late-breaking and longstanding challenges, and constructively confer with peers and experts in the research ethics field.
To that end, PRIM&R is committed to ensuring our events and gatherings are an inclusive, respectful, productive, and harassment-free experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, alienage, or citizenship status, physical or mental ability, color, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, national origin, marital status or partnership status, pregnancy or lactation status, religion or creed, status as a veteran or active military service member, or any other basis protected by U.S. federal, state, or local laws.
This Code of Conduct and Ethics is designed to provide all event attendees, speakers, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, PRIM&R employees, and PRIM&R’s Board of Directors with expectations and clear guidance for appropriate conduct and ethical behavior at PRIM&R events. The Code reflects and gives meaning to PRIM&R’s commitment to the lawful, ethical enactment of its mission. Failure to comply with this Code may be grounds for removal from a PRIM&R event and disqualification from attendance at future PRIM&R events.
All those in attendance at PRIM&R’s events and programs, including, but not limited to, event attendees, speakers, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, PRIM&R employees, and PRIM&R's Board of Directors are expected to abide by the following code of conduct (registration and participation in the offering implies agreement with this code).
Code of Conduct
Expected Behavior
- 1. Act With Respect, Courtesy, and Dignity: Treat all those in attendance at PRIM&R’s events and programs with respect, courtesy, and dignity.
- 2. Act professionally: Behave and communicate appropriately for a professional workplace setting; be collaborative with others; be mindful of your words and actions; be inclusive of and sensitive to different backgrounds, experiences, and beliefs.
- 3. Commit to Zero-Tolerance for Discrimination, Harassment, and Bullying: PRIM&R has a zero-tolerance policy for racism, discrimination, sexual harassment, and bullying of any kind, and will take appropriate and immediate action in response to complaints or knowledge of violations of this policy. For this policy, harassment is defined as any verbal or physical conduct designed to threaten, intimidate, or coerce another person. Verbal taunting (including racial and ethnic slurs) is included in the definition of harassment.
PRIM&R defines bullying as repeated, health-harming mistreatment of one or more people by one or more perpetrators. PRIM&R considers the following types of behavior examples of bullying: Verbal bullying: Slandering, ridiculing, or maligning a person or their family; persistent name-calling that is hurtful, insulting, or humiliating; using a person as the punchline of jokes; abusive and offensive remarks. Physical bullying: Pushing, shoving, kicking, poking, tripping, assault or threat of physical assault, damage to a person’s work area or property. Gesture bullying. Nonverbal gestures can convey threatening messages. Exclusion: Socially or physically excluding or disregarding a person in work-related activities.
The following examples of harassment are intended to be guidelines and are not exclusive when determining whether there has been a violation of this policy:
- Verbal harassment includes comments that are offensive or unwelcome regarding a person’s nationality, origin, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, age, body, disability, or appearance, including epithets, slurs, and negative stereotyping.
- Nonverbal harassment includes the distribution, display, or discussion of any written or graphic material that ridicules, denigrates, insults, belittles, or shows hostility, aversion, or disrespect toward an individual or group because of national origin, race, color, religion, age, gender, sexual orientation, pregnancy, appearance, disability, sexual identity, marital, or other protected status.
- According to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), sexual harassment is defined as “unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, and other verbal or physical conduct of a sexual nature when such conduct has the purpose or effect of creating an intimidating, hostile, or offensive environment.”
Unacceptable Behavior
- Possession of a weapon or something that could be construed as a weapon during in-person and online events or on video appearances during events.
- Possession, distribution, or use of illegal substances during events.
- Procurement or distribution of alcohol by anyone under 21 years of age; and provision of alcohol to anyone under 21 years of age.
- Photographing, video- or audio-recording of slides or oral presentation, as well as posting presentations without presenter/author’s permission.
- Sharing event registration information, including conference badge or other identification, with another person(s).
- Inappropriate disruption of sessions, discussions, or other events.
- Real or implied threat of physical, professional or financial damage or harm.
- Any other illegal activity not already covered above.
Reporting and Enforcement
If you experience harassment or hear of any behavior that violates this Code of Conduct or any of the Event Policies, PRIM&R asks that you contact a PRIM&R employee and request to speak with the Executive Director or Managing Director to take appropriate action. PRIM&R will courteously treat any person who invokes this complaint procedure and will handle all complaints swiftly and confidentially to the extent possible in light of the need to take appropriate corrective action. Complaints may be submitted to PRIM&R leadership using the Misconduct Reporting Form.
PRIM&R reserves the right to take any necessary and appropriate action to address violations of this Code of Conduct.
PRIM&R strictly prohibits any form or retaliatory action against anyone who raises issues, asks questions, makes reports, participates in an investigation, refuses to participate in suspected improper or wrongful activity, or exercises rights protected by law. PRIM&R depends on its stakeholders to report concerns so that the organization may take appropriate action. Anyone who believes they have witnessed retaliation or been personally retaliated against should immediately report their concern to the Executive Director and/or Managing Director.
PRIM&R reserves the right to take any necessary and appropriate action to address violations of this Code of Conduct.
PRIM&R strictly prohibits any form or retaliatory action against anyone who raises issues, asks questions, makes reports, participates in an investigation, refuses to participate in suspected improper or wrongful activity, or exercises rights protected by law. PRIM&R depends on its stakeholders to report concerns so that the organization may take appropriate action. Anyone who believes they have witnessed retaliation or been personally retaliated against should immediately report their concern to the Executive Director and/or Managing Director.
PRIM&R Event Policies
Alcohol and Drug Use Policy
PRIM&R will not allow inappropriate behavior related to the possession, distribution, or use of controlled substances, even if the use of such substance(s) is legal under state law. During PRIM&R events and programs where alcohol is served, PRIM&R requires all those in attendance, including, but not limited to, all event attendees, speakers, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, PRIM&R employees, and PRIM&R's Board of Directors to conduct themselves professionally at all times. PRIM&R and the hosting facility event staff have the right to deny service to participants for any reason and may require a participant to leave the event.
Filming and Photography at PRIM&R Events Policy
Personal photos and videos are permitted in common public areas outside the sessions and in the exhibit hall (if present). The speakers and PRIM&R own program content, which may not be distributed without prior permission. Consequently, the distribution, duplication, or piracy of speaker and/or PRIM&R materials and session content for profit is prohibited. Attendees who ignore this policy will be at risk of losing their badge credentials.
Any requests for filming or photography in a session, regardless of purpose, must be submitted in writing at least seven business (7) days in advance of the meeting. These requests will be approved at the sole discretion of the PRIM&R staff. Approved journalists (reporters with press credentials from PRIM&R) may utilize recording devices. However, reporting may not interfere with any session proceedings. Recordings are for use by the reporter only for news stories and are not to be reproduced or distributed in any other way unless approved by the PRIM&R staff.
Press credentials must be requested in writing in advance of the conference or program. If approved, journalists will receive appropriate credentials for specific needs and may be accompanied by a PRIM&R staff member. Violation or abuse of any policies will result in the reporter’s credentials being revoked and being banned from future PRIM&R meetings. The “press” is defined as any media organization that regularly engages in journalistic reporting. Members of the press are not exempt from PRIM&R’s on-site policies and must abide by all rules and regulations associated with the event.
PRIM&R reserves the right to film/take photographs during a PRIM&R conference or program. When registering for the offering, all attendees grant PRIM&R the right to use their name and likeness. In consideration for participating in the PRIM&R conference or program, PRIM&R reserves the right to record, photograph, use, and distribute (royalty-free, both now and in the future) any attendee's image, name, and voice in all forms and all media including, without limitation, photographs, electronic reproductions and transmission of images and audio files, webcasting, and any other uses on the internet for any and all of PRIM&R’s lawful purposes. If you do not want to be filmed/photographed on-site, tell the individual filming/photographing on-site.
Any requests for filming or photography in a session, regardless of purpose, must be submitted in writing at least seven business (7) days in advance of the meeting. These requests will be approved at the sole discretion of the PRIM&R staff. Approved journalists (reporters with press credentials from PRIM&R) may utilize recording devices. However, reporting may not interfere with any session proceedings. Recordings are for use by the reporter only for news stories and are not to be reproduced or distributed in any other way unless approved by the PRIM&R staff.
Press credentials must be requested in writing in advance of the conference or program. If approved, journalists will receive appropriate credentials for specific needs and may be accompanied by a PRIM&R staff member. Violation or abuse of any policies will result in the reporter’s credentials being revoked and being banned from future PRIM&R meetings. The “press” is defined as any media organization that regularly engages in journalistic reporting. Members of the press are not exempt from PRIM&R’s on-site policies and must abide by all rules and regulations associated with the event.
PRIM&R reserves the right to film/take photographs during a PRIM&R conference or program. When registering for the offering, all attendees grant PRIM&R the right to use their name and likeness. In consideration for participating in the PRIM&R conference or program, PRIM&R reserves the right to record, photograph, use, and distribute (royalty-free, both now and in the future) any attendee's image, name, and voice in all forms and all media including, without limitation, photographs, electronic reproductions and transmission of images and audio files, webcasting, and any other uses on the internet for any and all of PRIM&R’s lawful purposes. If you do not want to be filmed/photographed on-site, tell the individual filming/photographing on-site.
Health & Safety Measures Policy
All in-person offerings will be held in accordance with current city, state, federal, and event venue guidelines if applicable. However, PRIM&R cannot guarantee that attendees at in-person offerings will not be exposed to or contract a communicable disease. By attending an in-person offering, you freely assume all such risk and agree to release PRIM&R from liability for any injuries, illness, infections, death, damages, or claims that may arise from your attendance at this in-person offering. Please do not attend if you feel sick, have symptoms, or have been in close contact with someone who has symptoms or has been sick recently. Based on the constantly changing environment, PRIM&R reserves the right to change event entry requirements if deemed necessary.
Unforeseen Events Policy
For in-person conference and programs, in the event of a natural disaster, severe weather, communicable disease outbreak or epidemic, or another similarly serious occurrence that is beyond PRIM&R’s reasonable control, PRIM&R’s first commitment is to the safety of our attendees, speakers, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, PRIM&R employees, and PRIM&R’s Board of Directors In such a case, PRIM&R reserves the right to postpone or cancel a conference or program.
Similarly, if a PRIM&R virtual event is disrupted or cannot be conducted due to causes beyond PRIM&R’s reasonable control (e.g., transmission interruption caused by software, internet, hosting, or platform issues; natural disasters; strikes or labor disputes; government restriction; or other comparable occurrence), PRIM&R reserves the right to postpone or cancel the virtual event.
Rather than cancel outright, PRIM&R will always try to reschedule the event or program in question. Should an offering need to be rescheduled, registrant fees will be applied to the rescheduled offering. Should an offering be cancelled, registration fees will be credited towards a PRIM&R membership, event, program, etc., offered by PRIM&R within 12 months of the date of the cancelled offering. Registration credits not used within 12 months from the date of issue will expire.
Similarly, if a PRIM&R virtual event is disrupted or cannot be conducted due to causes beyond PRIM&R’s reasonable control (e.g., transmission interruption caused by software, internet, hosting, or platform issues; natural disasters; strikes or labor disputes; government restriction; or other comparable occurrence), PRIM&R reserves the right to postpone or cancel the virtual event.
Rather than cancel outright, PRIM&R will always try to reschedule the event or program in question. Should an offering need to be rescheduled, registrant fees will be applied to the rescheduled offering. Should an offering be cancelled, registration fees will be credited towards a PRIM&R membership, event, program, etc., offered by PRIM&R within 12 months of the date of the cancelled offering. Registration credits not used within 12 months from the date of issue will expire.
Accessibility and Accommodations Policy
PRIM&R believes in providing equal opportunity for everyone. We provide standard organizational-wide accessibility accommodations and will review ad hoc requests for additional accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Our goal is to work with you to find the right solutions for you to have access.
If you have any reasonable accessibility and accommodation requests, please notify registration@primr.org when you register for us to have appropriate lead time.
If you have any reasonable accessibility and accommodation requests, please notify registration@primr.org when you register for us to have appropriate lead time.