Conference Code of Conduct

Conference Code of Conduct

The Conference Team is committed to delivering a diverse, inclusive and accessible event. We strive to ensure that all attendees can fully participate and have an enjoyable experience. We will facilitate a safe environment for the sharing of ideas.  

We expect that all attendees, including the Conference Team, behave with kindness, courtesy and respect towards each other throughout the conference, including in online spaces such as livestream chats and social media.  

Please be considerate and refrain from unacceptable behaviour, which includes but is not limited to: intimidation, harassment, bullying, derogatory or demeaning conduct or discrimination (related to age, gender, sexual orientation, race, language, political or other opinion, national or social origin, disability, physical appearance, religion or other status). Inappropriate physical contact or sexual attention will not be tolerated.   

Conference participants who violate these principles may be asked to leave the session they are in, or the entire conference (without a refund), at the discretion of the senior members of the Conference Team. 

If you witness or are subject to unacceptable behaviour, we strongly encourage you to notify a member of Conference Team (anyone with a pink lanyard), who will escalate to the named individuals in our Behaviour Incident Response Plan. You can email impactconference@socsci.ox.ac.uk with details of your concern. A suitable response will then be established based on the specifics of the alleged incident. All reports will be treated confidentially. 

All members of the Conference Team (who will be wearing pink lanyards) will be required to read, ahead of the conference, the Behaviour Incident Response Plan that accompanies this policy, in order to know how to respond to a report of unacceptable behaviour.  

If you become distressed, or notice someone else in distress, please speak to one of our Conference Team. We have qualified MHFA England mental health first aiders on site who can provide support where required and we will do our best to assist. 

Thank you for helping us make this an inclusive and enjoyable event for everyone. 

Inclusivity Statement

The organisers of the Social Sciences Impact Conference 2026 are committed to fostering a welcoming, inclusive, accessible, and respectful environment for all participants, whether attending in person or online. We recognise that diversity of identity, experience, perspective and discipline enriches scholarly dialogue and strengthens our collective capacity to navigate uncertainty and create meaningful change. 

This conference aligns with the University of Oxford’s best practice guidance on inclusive conferences, which emphasises not just diversity of attendance but inclusive participation throughout the event lifecycle — from programme design and speaker selection to networking and engagement opportunities. Key aspects covered in this guidance include pre-event logistics, inclusive communication, accessibility considerations, and supporting attendees with caring responsibilities, as well as proactive measures to prevent and address harassment and discrimination.  

We also affirm our commitment to the principles set out in the Responsible Knowledge Exchange, Engagement and Impact (RKEEI) Framework co-developed and adopted within the Social Sciences Division. These principles include equity, inclusion, diversity and belonging, which call for fostering inclusive collaboration, enabling representation of diverse voices, and ensuring fairness in opportunities and outcomes for all participants. Another key principle is that of reciprocity and sustainability. We aim for the event to be beneficial for all participants and encourage them to participate openly, respectfully and to add their voice and experience to discussions where they feel able. In terms of sustainability, we are minimising the environmental impact of the event by minimising paper printing, using seasonal produce for the catering and encouraging active and public transport where possible.   

We welcome participants from all backgrounds and emphasise the importance of inclusive practice that respects differences in race, ethnicity, nationality, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, age, religion or belief, socioeconomic background, career stage, sector (academic, policy, practice and community), and disciplinary perspective.  

We recognise that accessibility and inclusion require ongoing attention and practical preparations, and we strive to ensure that conference spaces, both physical and virtual, are navigable, welcoming, and responsive to diverse needs. We have a designated quiet room and a private, secure space for prayer, breastfeeding and other personal needs. The venue is wheelchair accessible and the hearing loop is available in the main auditorium. The conference team are on hand and happy to help where they can.  

All participants are expected to engage in ways that reflect mutual respect and courtesy. Our Code of Conduct sets out the behavioural standards and reporting processes that support this expectation. It provides clear mechanisms for raising concerns, seeking support, and ensuring accountability, including timely and appropriate responses to breaches of conduct. 

We encourage open, collegial dialogue, inclusive engagement in discussions and activities, and deliberate amplification of under-represented voices throughout the conference. We are committed to continuous learning and improvement, and to refining our processes to make this and future events ever more inclusive.