Code of conduct

This document outlines the code of conduct adopted by the Centre for Gas Hydrates, Environment and Climate (CAGE), UiT The Arctic University of Norway. The aim of this document is to promote open, inclusive, safe, and positive space at CAGE events, whether online or in-person, and to guide attendees and participants on the required behaviour. The code of conduct applies to conferences, meetings, e-mail exchanges and other interactions. These are guidelines and do not imply legal obligation. These guidelines are constructed based on Code of Conduct from  Arctic Frontiers, EGU, AGU and the World Health Organisation, the Arctic Council Secretariat Staff Rules and the Akvaplan Niva AS Staff Handbook.

CAGE is committed to providing a harassment-free, safe, open, welcoming, respectful, and positive environment for its staff, partners, volunteers, attendees, and participants during events, whether the event is virtual or in-person. In particular:

• Discrimination, bullying, intimidation, harassment, coercion, plagiarism, and censorship are classified as unethical behaviour and misconduct.
• CAGE participants shall uphold the highest standards of integrity.
• CAGE employees and participants are encouraged to report any misconduct to the trusted person via email, and we encourage that acts of misconduct and unethical behaviour are intercepted where possible.
• CAGE encourages all participants to distinguish between professional, evidence- based comments from their personal opinions when publicly presenting their work and/or taking part in CAGE discussions and activities.
• Presenters should be aware of plagiarism and copyright laws and understand that copying others work and/or presentation is prohibited. CAGE has the right to record events for uploading to/streaming on virtual platforms.
• Presenters should be aware of plagiarism and copyright laws and understand that copying others work and/or presentation is prohibited.
• CAGE has the right to record events, either for uploading to/streaming on virtual platforms or for advertisement and marketing of events. Recording of presentations and taking photographs of scientific content by participants is allowed, but permission from the lead author should be sought.

Trusted Person

If there is any breach of conduct or witnessed misconduct it should be reported, in a timely manner, to the Trusted Person at UiT via email (to be designated). Should an investigation into misconduct be required, the information will be passed onto the Director of CAGE only. Should the misconduct activity violate the code of law in relevant countries, and/or the code of conduct of other institutions where the alleged incident occurred, CAGE will work with the appropriate authorities. Should the misconduct allegation be made against the Trusted Person or the Director of CAGE, the case will be passed onto the Project Leader for CAGE.

Sanctions

Potential sanctions may be imposed by CAGE upon investigation of misconduct. These include, but are not limited to:

• Written advice or reporting
• Withdrawal of presentations and material (both virtual and in-person)
• Notifying home institution of ongoing investigation and outcome of misconduct investigation,
• Issuing a public statement
• Information related to unsubstantiated allegations of misconduct will be deleted and securely removed. Information related to proven misconduct cases will be kept in a secure database, accessible by only the Trusted Person and Director of CAGE.