All members and guests at Society events are expected to act in accordance with the principles outlined in this document.

This code is not intended to limit the extent of rigorous and critical debate on contentious topics or those which might cause offence. However, such debate ought to be conducted in a scholarly manner.

The code is based on seven key principles outlined below:

1. RESPONSIBILITY & ACCOUNTABILITY

All members/guests should be aware of their ethical, legal and professional responsibilities with respect to the communities in which they work. All individuals should avoid personal and professional misconduct that might bring the Society or the profession into disrepute.

2. INTEGRITY & HONESTY

All members/guests should be:

• Honest and accurate in representing their professional affiliations and qualifications, while taking reasonable steps to ensure that these are not misrepresented by others.
• Honest and accurate in conveying research findings and professional conclusions, in line with the principles set out in the UK Research Integrity Office Code of Practice for Research (https://ukrio.org/publications/code-of-practice-for- research/).

They should not use their Society membership to convey to others any level of expertise, competency or professional standards.

3. RESPECT AND FAIRNESS

The Society is committed to maintaining and promoting a professional environment within which its members/guests treat each other and members of the public with dignity and respect. Members/guests will not discriminate against, bully or harass any other person on the basis of cultural and role difference, including those involving age, disability, education, ethnicity, gender, language, marital or family status, national origin, political beliefs, race, religion, sexual orientation and socio-economic status.

The Society recognises as bullying any persistent behaviour considered offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting, resulting from a misuse of power or status that undermines, humiliates, denigrates or causes injury to the recipient.

Harrassment involves any unwelcome verbal or physical behaviour, including sexual advances, when the unwanted conduct violates another person’s dignity or creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that person.

Both categories include communication through electronic media of all kinds. 

4. PRIVACY AND CONFIDENTIALITY

All members/guests will respect individual and collective rights to privacy and maintain confidentiality in compliance with UK and International law and regulations. They will follow best academic practice in all communications and documentation regarding submissions to Society publications, conferences, and award or grant procedures.

5. AVOIDANCE OF PERSONAL GAIN

Members/guests should neither offer nor accept bribes or inducements, either on a personal basis or on behalf of the Society.

6. CONFLICT OF INTEREST

All members/guests should declare any competing professional or personal interests that may be pertinent to their activities within the Society and its supported events. Should any conflict of interest arise, the individual must inform the Society’s Chair and take all reasonable steps to mitigate its effects (by, for example, withdrawing from the activity or discussion as appropriate).

7. COLLEGIALITY

Collaboration with external learned societies and organisations is strongly encouraged to facilitate the transfer and sharing of knowledge and to help disseminate learning and good practice. If members/guests put in place barriers or are obstructive to such collaborations, or act in a way that brings the Society into disrepute through these collaborations, they may be in breach of this code.

The models of the Procedures and Codes of Conduct of the British International Studies Association (BISA) and the Royal Musical Association (RMA) are gratefully acknowledged. They have been adapted; any shortcomings in the present document are entirely the responsibility of the Society.