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ASBMB event code of conduct

Approved by ASBMB Council February 2025

The American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (“ASBMB” or the “Society”) is committed to providing a safe, productive and harassment-free environment at its conferences, meetings, trainings, workshops, credentialing activities (such as relating to accreditation and certification), and other ASBMB-sponsored events, both in-person and virtual, including in discussions on any ASBMB-sponsored online forum, meeting, course, or webinar (“Events”). Participation in such Events, whether as an attendee, exhibitor, volunteer, Society staff member, or other participant, should be a positive, productive, welcoming and safe experience. ASBMB holds these events to enable members and others in the biochemistry and molecular biology fields and related disciplines to come together to learn about and discuss the latest trends and issues, and to promote professional development and networking opportunities. ASBMB meetings also allow attendees to enjoy the company of colleagues in an environment of mutual respect. ASBMB promotes equal opportunities and treatment for all participants. All participants are expected to treat others with respect and consideration, display personal and professional integrity, follow venue rules, and alert staff or security of any dangerous situations, violations of this Event Code of Conduct, or of anyone in distress. This applies to all Society events, including in-person and virtual meetings, Council or Committee meetings, engaging in volunteer activities, and attending or conducting online webinars and trainings.

Expected behavior at all times:

  • Be considerate and respectful of others.
  • Be fair and honest and act in good faith.
  • Be aware of how language and images may be perceived by others, even if not so intended.
  • Follow the rules of the venue of the meeting.
  • Do not abuse alcohol or drugs.
  • Abide by all state and federal laws which prohibit the exchange of information among competitors for anti-competitive purposes and other topics which might infringe upon antitrust laws and regulations.

Unacceptable behavior

ASBMB prohibits any form of harassment, sexual or otherwise. Accordingly, some behaviors are specifically prohibited, whether directed at other attendees, ASBMB staff, speakers, exhibitors, event venue staff, contractors, or other participants in any ASBMB-sponsored virtual event:

  • Verbal or physical harassment or discrimination based on race, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, ethnicity, national origin, or other protected status.
  • Sexual harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), unsolicited and unwelcome physical contact or threatened contact, and inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces (including presentation slides and in social media).
  • Abusive or personally derogatory or demeaning speech or actions (as opposed to respectfully stated and professionally appropriate critiques or disagreements).
  • Deliberate intimidation or following.
  • Yelling at, threatening, or personally insulting speakers (verbally or physically), use of violence, or engaging in sustained disruption of talks or other events.
  • Engaging in threatening or abusive communications with ASBMB staff or volunteers or other Event participants.
  • Actual or implied threat of physical harm.
  • Actual or implied threat of professional or financial damage or harm.
  • Threats of violence.
  • Bringing or possessing a firearm at ASBMB Events.
  • Inappropriate disruption of meetings or events.
  • Photographing, video or audio recording of slides, oral or poster presentations without presenter/author’s permission.
  • Violating the rules and regulations of the online platform, where applicable.

Participants asked to stop engaging in hostile or harassing behavior or other unacceptable behavior are expected to comply immediately. 

All who register to participate, attend, speak at, or exhibit at an ASBMB Event, and all participants in ASBMB committees, courses, or other ASBMB groups, agree to comply with this Event Code of Conduct. The conduct rules also apply to online, telephonic, email, and in-person interactions with ASBMB staff and volunteers. Anyone subject to or witnessing harassment or other violations of this Event Code of Conduct should report the violation immediately to ASBMB team members either in person or at CEO@asbmb.org. ASBMB — or any Event participant — may involve event security and/or local law enforcement or other first responders, as appropriate based on the specific circumstances. Event attendees and participants must also cooperate with any ASBMB investigation into reports of a violation of this Event Code of Conduct by providing information requested by ASBMB that is relevant to the Society’s investigation. Those who witness or are subject to violations of the Event Code of Conduct are also encouraged to create a written detailed summary of the incident.

At ASBMB conferences and other Events, participants often combine professional activities with social interaction with other participants, venue staff, and other attendees. While ASBMB encourages such networking and strengthening of connections between participants, ASBMB reserves the right to remove any participant whose social attentions become unwelcome to another and who persists in such attentions after their unwelcome nature has been communicated. ASBMB also reserves the right to remove any participant or attendee who appears inebriated and who engages in conduct that interferes with the ability of other attendees to participate in and enjoy the Event. ASBMB may remove any individual from attendance or other participation in any ASBMB-sponsored Event, including removing the individual from participation in any non-Council committee or work group, without prior warning or refund based on complaints about violation of this Event Code of Conduct.

If ASBMB, in its reasonable judgment, determines that an individual has violated this Event Code of Conduct, ASBMB may also prohibit the individual from attending or participating in future ASBMB Events or serving on Council committees and may notify the individual’s employer of ASBMB’s finding of a violation; provided, however, that any barring of an individual from an official role with ASBMB will be imposed only in accordance with relevant ASBMB policies and Bylaws. ASBMB will also report on the outcome of any investigation to individuals who have reported a violation of this Event Code of Conduct.