Code of Conduct

TQC 2026 Code of Conduct

1. Introduction

The TQC organizers strive to provide a safe and respectful environment where all participants can engage fully in scientific exchange. Our goal is to promote a culture in which everyone feels welcome, valued, and able to learn productively regardless of background, identity, or experience.

The open exchange of ideas and the freedom of thought and expression are central. These thrive in an environment of dignity, understanding, mutual respect, and inclusion. The TQC organizers seek to foster a professional community that is free from discrimination, harassment, bullying, or retaliation in any form.

Participation in TQC requires accepting this Code of Conduct and its protocol at the time of registration. All participants (speakers, attendees, volunteers, sponsors, exhibitors, etc.) are expected to read, understand, and adhere to this Code before and during the event (including social activities and online settings).

2. The Code

Expected Conduct

All participants are expected to:

• Treat others with respect and professionalism in speech, behavior, and actions.
• Recognize power dynamics and avoid conduct that exploits or abuses positions of authority.
• Participate in scientific sessions constructively and without disrupting meetings, presentations, or discussions.
• Be mindful and act with consideration toward others in both in-person and virtual settings.
• Respect privacy, confidentiality, and conflict-of-interest disclosure where applicable.
• Set and communicate boundaries when needed. Respect the boundaries of others.
• Seek help when needed and offer help when asked, within reasonable capacity. Staff and volunteers will also be available to listen to and help with concerns regarding conduct.
• Uphold standards of scientific integrity.
• Honor photo preferences, including explicit “NO PHOTOS” indicators.

Unacceptable Conduct

The following behaviors are prohibited:

• Discrimination, including demeaning remarks or actions related to gender, sexual orientation, race or ethnicity, nationality, marital status, language or accents, religion, physical appearance, health or disability, age, socioeconomic background, or educational history.
• Sexual harassment or sexualized behavior in any form, including unwanted attention, touching, or comments.
• Sexual or sexualized content in talks, posters, visuals, or activities.
• Bullying, stalking, or unwanted or intrusive contact, including harassment and repeated or targeted negative comments.
• Abuse of authority or coercive behavior.
• Intentional disruption of meetings, presentations, or discussions.
• Threats, intimidation, or acts of verbal, physical, or sexual violence.
• Retaliation against anyone who raises a concern or participates in the reporting process below, including retaliation for actions taken prior to the event.
• Plagiarism or other scientific misconduct.
• Photography of individuals under 18 without the explicit verbal or written permission of a parent or guardian.

3. Protocol

Participants who are asked to stop unacceptable behavior must do so immediately.

Reporting Concerns

If you observe or experience a violation of this Code, you are encouraged to report it. You may:

• Contact the organizing institution’s staff and volunteers in person (they will be introduced and will be identifiable).
• Email 2026@tqc-conference.org. If you desire your report to be anonymous, you may email us from an anonymized email address. Note that anonymity may limit our ability to respond to incidents.

Information reported (including the identity of the person making the report) will be handled with discretion in accordance with applicable privacy laws and institutional policies and shared only on a need-to-know basis to address the situation appropriately.

Response and Enforcement

The Local Organizing Committee (LOC) is responsible for reviewing concerns and determining any enforcement actions under this Code of Conduct. The organizing institution’s staff and volunteers are available to listen and provide support to participants, take incident reports, and may intervene in real-time situations to address immediate concerns or safety issues. Enforcement of this Code of Conduct may include, but is not limited to:

• Before the event:
  • Verbal or written warnings
  • Conditions on participation
  • Denial of admission — if the incident is far enough before the event, the individual may receive a full refund or transfer their registration to a colleague.

Measures may be taken based on prior substantiated violations of this Code (including incidents reported from previous years and violations during the registration process).

• During the event:
  • Verbal or written warnings
  • Conditions on further participation
  • Removal from a session
  • Temporary or permanent expulsion from the event; participation fees are not refunded once the conference has begun, as event services cannot be cancelled.
  • If participants’ safety is at risk or if legal violations occur, the venue staff or the organizing institution’s staff will contact the appropriate authorities for the relevant jurisdiction.

Please note that the circumstances of an incident may not permit us to provide a detailed explanation or an opportunity to appeal these measures.

4. Accommodations and Accessibility

Information about accessibility, accommodations, and inclusion measures is available on the TQC website under the Accessibility section.