Digital Humanities Utah (DHU) is committed to creating and supporting inclusive, diverse, and equitable communities of practice. We strive to be a welcoming organization as well as the focal point for a digital humanities culture that is anti-oppression and anti-racist, recognizes intersectionalities, and works compassionately across differences. We know that the best problem-solving and critical thinking happens when people with a wide array of experiences and perspectives come together to work in comfort and safety as peers. We therefore expect participants in DHU to help create a thoughtful and respectful environment where these interactions can take place.
This Code of Conduct applies to all sessions, meals, and events sponsored by DHU.
How to Be
DHU is dedicated to providing a conference experience that is free from all forms of harassment and inclusive of all people.
Small actions you can take will help us meet this goal. For instance, we suggest:
- listening as much as you speak, and remembering that colleagues may have expertise you are unaware of;
- encouraging and yielding the floor to those whose viewpoints may be under-represented in a group;
- using welcoming language, for instance by using an individual’s stated pronouns and favoring gender-neutral collective nouns (e.g., “people,” not “guys”);
- accepting critique graciously and offering it constructively;
- giving credit where it is due; and
- staying alert, as active bystanders, to the welfare of those around you.
Likewise, it is important to understand the range of behaviors that may constitute harassment. Harassing behavior may relate to:
- age;
- appearance or body size;
- employment or military status;
- ethnicity;
- gender identity or expression;
- individual lifestyles;
- marital status;
- national origin;
- physical or cognitive ability;
- political affiliation;
- sexual orientation;
- race; or
- religion.
Harassment can include unwelcome or offensive verbal or written comments or nonverbal expressions, used in person or online, in private or in public.
Examples of harassment can include:
- use of sexual and/or discriminatory images in public spaces (including online);
- deliberate intimidation;
- stalking;
- following;
- trolling;
- harassing photography or recording;
- sustained disruption of talks or other events;
- bullying behavior;
- inappropriate physical contact; and
- unwelcome sexual attention.
Sexual, discriminatory, or potentially triggering language and imagery is generally inappropriate for DHU. However, this policy is not intended to constrain responsible scholarly or professional discourse and debate. We welcome engagement with difficult topics, done with respect and care. Should your presentation include graphic or otherwise triggering language or imagery, please let the audience know at the top of your presentation.
What to Do
We value your presence and constructive participation in our shared community and thank you for your attention to the comfort, safety, and wellbeing of fellow DHU collaborators and attendees. We will not tolerate harassment of DHU attendees in any form. If you are being harassed, notice that someone else is being harassed, or have any other concerns, please follow the procedures outlined below.
DHU attendees who are asked to stop harassing or intimidating behaviors are expected to comply immediately. Those who violate our Code of Conduct may be warned or expelled at the discretion of the organizers.
At the Conference, DHU staff can be identified by their name badges. Active bystanders or those experiencing harassment themselves may elect to have an in-person, confidential conversation with a staff member. Staff will then assist participants by providing escorts as needed, otherwise helping those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event, and in reporting the incident to the appropriate campus office for follow-up.
All reports and inquiries will be handled in confidence.
Credits
This code of conduct was adapted from the Digital Library Federation’s Code of Conduct, which is licensed with a Creative Commons BY-NC 4.0 license. Our thanks to the DLF for allowing the reuse of their work.