The NLSEB Congress is intended to foster the exchange of scientific ideas, providing participants with an opportunity to network with a community of evolutionary biologists. NLSEB is committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone can participate without harassment, discrimination, or violence of any kind. While scientific discussions are encouraged, and participants may disagree with or criticize the science of others, all meeting participants must be treated with respect and consideration. Registration for the NLSEB Congress is considered an agreement to abide by this Code of Conduct.

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Harassment of any participant will not be tolerated. Unacceptable behaviour includes (but is not limited to) unwanted verbal attention, unwanted touching, intimidation, stalking, shaming, or bullying. Any form of discrimination on the basis of gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, age, disability, physical appearance, race, religion, national origin, or ethnicity is not tolerated. Harassment presented in a joking manner also constitutes unacceptable behaviour. Retaliation for reporting harassment is also unacceptable. It is reprehensible as well to report an incident in bad faith. Discussions, for instance via social media, about a complaint that is still under investigation by the NLSEB confidentiality advisors should be restrained and non-judgemental.

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Please note that the use of certain language or images in oral or poster presentations may contravene the Code of Conduct if they represent disrespectful criticism of individuals or teams rather than valid criticism of their science, if they are seen to objectify or demean individuals or groups. It is important to recognise that sensitivity to such aspects of communication varies, and what might be acceptable or humorous to some people might not be to others.

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The meeting organizers and society executive officers reserve the right to enforce this Code of Conduct in any manner deemed appropriate. Anyone violating the Code of Conduct may be: (a) asked to stop, (b) expelled from the meeting, and/or (c) prohibited from attending future meetings. Establishing this Code of Conduct is intended to maintain the high quality of scientific discourse that members may expect from our meetings.

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If you experience any form of inappropriate behaviour, you may wish to contact and speak with one of the NLSEB confidentiality advisors. If you contact our advisors, you will be asked the following:

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• to give your name

• to describe the events or behaviour that took place, and any other relevant circumstances surrounding the incident

• if relevant or appropriate, to identify the perpetrator

• if relevant or appropriate, to identify any witnesses

Important: your name will not be communicated to anyone without your consent and no actions toward the perpetrator will be taken without your consent. However, your case can be reported by the confidentiality advisors to the NLSEB board in an anonymized form.

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The NLSEB confidentiality advisors can be contacted by email:

Prof.dr. Hannah Dugdale (RUG), h.l.dugdale@rug.nl

Prof.dr. Bas Zwaan (WUR): bas.zwaan@wur.nl