Policy and Code of Conduct

NAPAC’25 is co-sponsored by IEEE and APS and follows their codes of conduct. 

IEEE believes in openness, international collaboration, and the free flow of talent and ideas. Meetings, conferences, and other events provide a forum for the exchange of technical and humanitarian conversations. IEEE is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment to all conference, event, and meeting participants who engage with IEEE in these conversations. 

To support this concept, IEEE has created a conduct and safety statement that will become the IEEE credo for conferences, events, and meetings.   

Download the Conduct and Safety Statement (PDF, 134 KB)

Statement Translations in various languages can be downloaded here. 

Participants should report any behavior inconsistent with the principles outlined here to on-site staff, security, or venue personnel, or to eventconduct@ieee.org. 
 

Code of Conduct for APS meetings 

It is the policy of the American Physical Society (APS) that all participants, including attendees, vendors, APS staff, volunteers, and all other stakeholders at APS meetings will conduct themselves in a professional manner that is welcoming to all participants and free from any form of discrimination, harassment, or retaliation. Participants will treat each other with respect and consideration to create a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment at APS Meetings. Creating a supportive environment to enable scientific discourse at APS meetings is the responsibility of all participants. 

Participants will avoid any inappropriate actions or statements based on individual characteristics such as age, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, nationality, political affiliation, ability status, educational background, or any other characteristic protected by law. Disruptive or harassing behavior of any kind will not be tolerated. Harassment includes but is not limited to inappropriate or intimidating behavior and language, unwelcome jokes or comments, unwanted touching or attention, offensive images, photography without permission, and stalking. 

Violations of this code of conduct policy should be reported to meeting organizers, APS staff, or the APS Director of Meetings. Sanctions may range from verbal warning, to ejection from the meeting without refund, to notifying appropriate authorities. Retaliation for complaints of inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated. If a participant observes inappropriate comments or actions and personal intervention seems appropriate and safe, they should be considerate of all parties before intervening. 

Need to Report Something? 

Online: aps.ethicspoint.com 

Phone: 844.660.3924 

Confidential, easy-to-use, and always available. 

• Policies & Guidelines for APS Meetings

• APS Americans with Disabilities Act Statement 
  APS policy concerning meeting attendees needing accommodations

The APS Ombuds Program

In response to community feedback, APS is pleased to provide a new benefit to your membership: ombuds services to address concerns related to harassment and discrimination.

APS has engaged Elisa Enriquez of the McCammon Group as an impartial, independent, and confidential resource available to all members to discuss harassment and discrimination concerns. The ombuds provides a safe place to discuss concerns virtually and help members explore options for possible further action.

It's important to note that seeking the support of the ombuds does not imply that a problem exists. On the contrary, it speaks to the APS effort to build a welcoming home for the physics community, in alignment with APS core values.

More about the Ombuds Program

The ombuds is not an APS employee and does not report through any APS staff member, but will, without breaching confidentiality, provide APS with feedback on the nature of issues raised and share insights or observations about systemic issues and possible solutions.

Conversations between APS members and the ombuds are confidential, working with members to explore potential solutions without fear of repercussions. The only exceptions to confidentiality are when the ombuds determines there is a threat of imminent risk of harm to self or others, or if there is a concern related to child or elder abuse.

If you're facing a challenge, have concerns, and want to explore options, you can schedule a one-on-one meeting by contacting Elisa Enriquez via email or by phone at (505) 690-1138.

An ombuds can: