Code of Conduct at ISSCR Events

ISSCR is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants and ISSCR staff. All participants, including but not limited to, attendees speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, ISSCR staff, service providers, and others are expected to abide by this Meeting Safety & Responsibility Policy. This Policy applies to all ISSCR meeting-related events, including those sponsored by organizations other than ISSCR but held in conjunction with ISSCR events, in public or private facilities.

Responsible Drinking

At some ISSCR networking events, both alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages are served. ISSCR expects participants at our events to drink responsibly. ISSCR and Meeting host event staff have the right to deny service to participants for any reason, and may require a participant to leave the event.

Personal Safety and Security

ISSCR works diligently to provide a safe and secure environment at its meetings and events by working with venue staff to make sure meeting participants are safe. We ask that all attendees report any questionable or concerning activity to ISSCR staff so that they can take immediate action. No concern is too small, if you see something, say something.

• Be aware of your surroundings at all times.
• Use the buddy system when walking to and from the event venue, networking event locations during early or late hours.
• Don't wear your meeting badge on the street. Take it off as soon as you leave the building/venue.
• Don't carry a lot of cash or credit cards. Leave in your hotel room safe.
• Don't leave personal property unattended anywhere, anytime.

If it is an emergency or if you need immediate assistance, you should ask any ISSCR staff member or the on-site security personnel to help you.

Unacceptable Behavior

• Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form.
• Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, ISSCR staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
• Examples of unacceptable behavior include, but are not limited to, verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations, or threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, ISSCR staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.
• Disruption of presentations at sessions, in the exhibit hall, or at other events organized by ISSCR at the meeting venue, hotels or other ISSCR-contracted facilities.

ISSCR has zero-tolerance for any form of discrimination or harassment, sexual or otherwise, including but not limited to sexual harassment by participants or our staff at our meeting. Incidents should be reported immediately to security and ISSCR meetings staff at isscr@isscr.org.

ISSCR reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund, in response to any incident of unacceptable behavior, and ISSCR reserves the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting.

The International Society for Stem Cell Research (ISSCR) is committed to hosting a safe and productive meeting atmosphere that encourages open discussion and exchange of ideas by fostering a welcoming community.

ISSCR has long recognized and supported the needs of attendees to bring young children to the annual meeting by providing an infant care room and offering access to scientific programming for teenage children who are considering a scientific career. Further, beginning at ISSCR 2020, an overflow room broadcasting plenary sessions will be available to attendees with small children.

The safety of all attendees at ISSCR-sponsored events is of utmost importance and extends to children who may accompany their parents or guardians to a meeting. With safety in mind, the Society and its Board of Directors have created the following guidelines for child access to the Exhibit Hall, Poster Floor, and scientific sessions.

Children 11 and Younger

• May accompany their parent or guardian to Scientific Sessions, with guidance to sit where it is easiest to exit the session should that need arise. Typically, this may mean in rear of the room close to an exit.
• May not be in the Exhibit Hall.

Children 12 and Older

• Must register to attend the meeting upon arrival, which includes access to the Scientific Sessions and the Exhibit Hall. Registered children should always wear an attendee badge. Registration fees are $25.00 per child.

   

  Exceptions for Poster Presenters

• An attendee may bring a child/children age 11 or younger to the Exhibit Hall in order to present a poster during the designated session time.
• ISSCR asks that attendees follow this exception policy on an honor basis, limiting the child/children’s presence in the Exhibit Hall to the Poster Floor during the attendee’s designated session time.
• Attendees requiring this exception are encouraged to notify the ISSCR by email at least one week prior to the annual meeting. Emails should be directed to ekowalczyk@isscr.org with “Request Exception” in the subject line, your name, organization, and the date and time of the Poster Session.

For questions about this policy, please contact Erika Kowalczyk at ekowalczyk@isscr.org.