We, the members, alumni and Office staff of the Global Young Academy (GYA), are committed to providing an environment that fosters the exchange of scientific ideas and open debate while providing a safe platform for Early-Career Researchers (ECRs) to express their voices. We are committed to equal opportunities and treatment for all members and alumni, regardless of race, colour, national or ethnic origin, religion or religious belief, gender identity or expression, age, marital status, disabilities and medical conditions, or any other reason not related to scientific merit.

The GYA as an organisation creates and promotes environments free from discrimination and harassment. All GYA members, alumni and Office staff are expected to uphold scientific integrity and professional ethical standards and comply with the community’s agreed standards of behaviour.

In 2022, the GYA voted to ratify the GYA Code of Professional Conduct in 2022. The Code requires GYA members to conduct themselves with dignity, honesty, integrity and respect when interacting with other members, alumni, Office staff, partners of the GYA or the general public.

Find the document here:
Professional Code of Conduct.pdf (globalyoungacademy.net)

Conduct at in-person meetings: The AGM and Conference 2024

To directly translate this overarching document to the situation of an in-person meeting, here are a few key points (refer to the Professional Code of Conduct for full terms):

• The GYA is committed to providing a safe and productive meeting environment that fosters open dialogue and the exchange of ideas, promotes equal opportunities and treatment for all participants, and is free of harassment and discrimination.
• All participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration, follow venue rules, and alert staff or security of any dangerous situations or anyone in distress.
• Speakers are expected to uphold standards of scientific integrity and professional ethics. The GYA recognises that there are areas of discussion that will be controversial. The GYA Annual Meeting can serve as an effective forum to consider and debate viewpoints in an orderly, respectful, and fair manner.
• The GYA does not allow any form of harassment, sexual or otherwise. Behaviour that is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another, so use discretion to be sure that respect is communicated. Harassment intended in a joking manner still constitutes unacceptable behaviour. If any member is feeling uncomfortable, please immediately talk to a GYA Co-Chair, member of the Executive Committee or a GYA Office staff member.

Communication and Social Media Guidelines

• During public Conference sessions we encourage open, respectful discussion of content on social media (e.g. X aka Twitter, Facebook, TikTok, Instagram, Google+, etc.) and blogging platforms. Please use the following hashtag: #gyagm2024
• While the default policy during the plenary sessions is to allow open discussion of presentations on social media and blogging platforms, please respect any request from speakers to not share the contents of their presentation online. Speakers who do not wish to have their research shared on Twitter, Facebook, or other social networks should make an announcement before and during her/his presentation. We encourage speakers to also use an opt-out X aka Twitter image on every slide of her/his presentation to ensure the preference is known. An example of an opt-out Twitter image can be found here: egu2016_twitter_no.png (632×632)
• For GYA elections: this is an internal GYA-member process and therefore it is not appropriate to share voting details on social media – for example, we do not share the number of votes scored by each candidate or whether there are run-off ballots. The final selection (successful candidates) once released on the GYA Website can be announced and celebrated!
• During all other sessions we respectfully ask all participants to adhere to the Chatham House Rule (Chatham House Rule | Chatham House – International Affairs Think Tank): participants are welcome to use the information received, but neither the identity nor the affiliation of the speaker(s), nor that of any other participant, should be revealed unless there is express permission to do so.
• Photographs and Videos: Please do not post photographs or videos of social occasions or events within the AGM that have recognizable people without the express permission of the individuals concerned. We have official GYA photographs that can be shared, but it is crucial that we respect the right of individuals to not have unofficial footage taken or shared on social media.