Code of Conduct

ASA Anti-Harassment Policy for the Annual Symposium

The 2023 Assyrian Studies Symposium is convened for the purposes of professional development as well as scholarly and educational interchange in the spirit of free inquiry and free expression. Harassment of colleagues, students, or other symposium participants undermines the principle of equity at the heart of these professional fora and is inconsistent with the principles of free inquiry and free expression. Consequently, harassment is considered by ASA to be a serious form of professional misconduct.

The following Anti-Harassment Policy outlines expectations for all those who attend or participate in the ASA Symposium. It reminds ASA symposium participants that all professional academic ethics and norms apply as standards of behavior and interaction at these meetings.

1. Purpose

ASA is committed to providing a safe and welcoming Symposium environment for all participants, regardless of actual or perceived gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, age, or religion. “Participant” in this policy refers to anyone present at the ASA symposium, including staff, vendors, sponsors, exhibitors, venue staff, ASA members, and all other attendees.

2. Expected Behavior

All participants at the ASA Symposium are expected to abide by this Anti-Harassment Policy in all meeting venues including ancillary events and official and unofficial social gatherings.
Abide by the norms of professional respect that are necessary to promote the conditions for free academic interchange.
If you witness potential harm to a conference participant, be proactive in helping to mitigate or avoid that harm.
Alert Symposium or security personnel if you see a situation in which someone might be in imminent physical danger.

3. Unacceptable Behavior

persistent and unwelcome solicitation of emotional or physical intimacy
persistent and unwelcome solicitation of emotional or physical intimacy accompanied by real or implied threat of professional harm
intimidating, harassing, abusive, derogatory or demeaning speech or actions by any participant in an the ASA Symposium and/or at any related event.
prejudicial actions or comments related to actual or perceived gender, gender identity, race, ethnicity, sexual orientation, ability, socioeconomic status, age, or religion that coerce others, foment broad hostility, or otherwise undermine professional equity or the principles of free academic exchange.
deliberate intimidation, stalking or following;
harassing photography or recording;
sustained disruption of talks or other events;
physical assault (including unwelcome touch or groping)
real or implied threat of physical harm