- All members of the GASKAP-OH Survey are expected to act ethically, with scientific integrity and respect for one another and the broader research community.
- This Code of Conduct provides guidelines to ensure a respectful, collegiate, and collaborative environment for every GASKAP-OH Survey member.
- This Code applies to all members of the GASKAP-OH Survey, including Principle Investigators, Survey Scientists, researchers, students, post-docs and affiliates involved in the survey.
- The GASKAP-OH Survey is committed to conducting research with integrity, transparency and accountability.
- The GASKAP-OH Survey aims to foster a collaborative, inclusive and safe environment for all members of the Survey.
The GASKAP-OH Survey commits to the highest standards of scientific rigor and honesty. This includes:
- Accuracy and Transparency: Reporting data, methods, and results honestly, without fabrication, falsification, or selective omission.
- Openness: Sharing data, methods, and code where appropriate to support reproducibility and the advancement of the field.
- Acknowledgment of Errors: Taking prompt responsibility for mistakes or inaccuracies and correcting them publicly when necessary.
- Proper Attribution: Crediting all contributors fairly in publications, presentations, software, and datasets. Plagiarism, misappropriation, or exclusion of contributors violates this principle.
- Ethical Data Use: Follow the Publication and Data Use Policy.
¶ 4.2 Respect and Inclusivity
- Fair Recognition: Acknowledge all contributions—intellectual, technical, operational, and administrative—regardless of seniority or role.
- Transparent Decision-Making: Communicate clearly about governance, authorship, data access, and project priorities.
- Inclusive Collaboration: Ensure equitable access to authorship, leadership opportunities, and conference representation.
- Knowledge Sharing: Support the growth of colleagues, particularly early-career researchers, through mentorship and the open exchange of expertise.
- Shared Responsibility: Take collective ownership for collaboration outcomes and uphold high standards in all work.
¶ 4.3 Professional Behaviour and Collaboration
GASKAP-OH Survey members are expected to:
- Engage constructively in discussions and scientific debate
- Avoid dismissive, exclusionary, or condescending behavior.
- Support an environment that fosters psychological safety and mutual respect.
- Mentor in good faith and refrain from exploiting junior colleagues.
¶ 4.4 Harassment, Bullying, and Discrimination
The GASKAP-OH Survey maintains a zero-tolerance policy for harassment, bullying, and discrimination based on gender or sex, race, colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin, religion and belief, age, marital or civil partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, gender reassignment, disability, pregnancy or maternity, family or carers responsibilities or any other protected characteristic defined in local guidance.
Unacceptable behaviors include but are not limited to:
- Sexual harassment: Includes unwanted advances, suggestive comments, or inappropriate physical contact.
- Bullying: Repeated verbal abuse, threats, humiliation, or sabotage of another’s work or reputation.
- Discrimination: exclusion or unfair treatement.
- Harassment: unwelcome verbal, written, or physical conduct.
Reporting:
- Concerns may be reported confidentially to [Designated Contact or Committee].
- All complaints will be taken seriously, investigated promptly, and handled confidentially.
- Retaliation against individuals who report or assist in investigations is prohibited.
All GASKAP-OH Survey members must disclose any actual, perceived, or potential conflicts of interest, including:
- Personal or financial interests in decisions involving funding, authorship, or hiring.
- Dual roles that might compromise objectivity (e.g., serving as reviewer to someone whose work you directly compete with).
- Affiliations or external obligations that may bias scientific interpretations or collaborative decisions.
Guidelines:
- Declare conflicts of interest early and transparently..
- Recuse yourself from decisions where your impartiality may be compromised.
- When in doubt, consult with the PIs - Shari Breen and Jo Dawson.
¶ 4.6 Meetings and Communication Standards
- Meetings should foster respectful and inclusive dialogue.
- Use clear and inclusive language and avoid jargon that may exclude others.
- Respect time zones, caregiving responsibilities and accessbility needs when scheduling meetings, workshops, busy days/weeks or other communications.
- Meeting coordinators should actively ensure equitable participation and intervene if necessary to uphold respectful conduct.
¶ 4.7 Mentorship and Power Dynamics
- Senior members in supervisory or mentoring roles should provide constructive guidance, support, and opportunities while respecting the autonomy and career goals of junior members.
- Junior members must be empowered to raise concerns without fear of retaliation.
- Supervisors and senior members should be mindful of the influence they wield, both formally and informally.
¶ 5. Reporting Mechanisms and Enforcement
All GASKAP-OH Survey members have a shared responsibility to uphold this Code.
Violations may result in:
- Mediation or facilitated discussion
- Verbal or written warnings
- Suspension or removal from projects or collaboration roles
- Referral to institutional bodies or legal authorities
To report concerns:
Contact Joanne Dawson, PI, at ....
Anonymous reports can also be submitted via this Google Form