Code of Conduct for the Bioinformatics Research Centre (BiRC), AU

Our Pledge

To foster an open and inclusive environment, we as students, employees and guests at the Bioinformatics Research Centre, Aarhus University, pledge to do our utmost to make working and studying at BiRC a harassment-free and accessible experience for everyone.

Our Standards

Examples of behaviors that contribute to creating a positive environment include (but are not limited to):

• Using welcoming and inclusive language
• Accommodating the needs of people with disabilities in teaching situations
• Being respectful of differing viewpoints and experiences
• Gracefully accepting constructive criticism
• Focusing on what is best for the whole centre and its people
• Showing empathy towards other people at the centre and outside

Examples of unacceptable behavior include (but are not limited to):

• The use of sexualized language or imagery and unwelcome sexual attention or advances
• Trolling, insulting/derogatory comments, and personal or political attacks
• Public or private harassment in person or online
• Publishing others’ private information, such as a physical or electronic address, without explicit permission
• Denying or devaluating the experiences of others regardless of personal convictions
• Other conduct which could reasonably be considered inappropriate in a professional setting

Denmark is a country where we respect the freedom of speech and value humor both in the public sphere and in social relations. This Code of Conduct is not meant to abandon such inherent values in Danish culture, but to state that at BiRC freedom of speech and humor should be used responsibly and not as means to harass individuals or groups.

Responsibilities

The centre management is responsible for clarifying the standards of acceptable behavior and will take appropriate and fair corrective actions in response to instances of unacceptable behavior.

Scope

This Code of Conduct applies to everyone at the Bioinformatics Research Centre (BiRC). This includes students (full and part time), faculty, and staff as well as guests at the centre. It applies both within the centre and when an individual or a group is officially representing the centre in other locations including public spaces. Examples of representing the centre include using an official BiRC email address, posting via an official social media account, or acting as an appointed BiRC representative.  Representation of the centre may be further defined and clarified by centre management or research group leaders.

Reporting Violations

Instances of abusive, harassing, or otherwise unacceptable behavior can be reported by contacting your supervisor or one of the contact persons at the centre:

• Christian Storm Pedersen, Centre director (cstorm@birc.au.dk)
• Kasper Munch, member of the security group at BiRC as management representative (kaspermunch@birc.au.dk)
• Ellen B. Noer, member of the security group at BiRC as employee representative (elno@birc.au.dk)

Regardless of whom of the above the report is made to, the report as well as the identity of the reporter will be handled with confidentiality and any actions taken hereafter will be done in close dialogue with the reporter of the incident.

Enforcement

All reports will be reviewed and investigated and will result in a response that is deemed necessary and appropriate to the circumstances. The person, to whom the report is given, is obligated to maintain confidentiality with regard to the reporter of the incident. Dependent on the severity of the situation there are systems in place at Faculty, University and societal level to take a response further. The decision to escalate a situation further in these systems will be based on the close collaboration between the contact person and the reporter of the incident and will depend on the severity of the situation.