ICMM9 Code of Conduct

Purpose and scope

ICMM9 is organised by the Faculty of Civil Engineering, Czech Technical University in Prague. This conference policy is based on and intended to be consistent with the principles of the CTU Code of Ethics. It is a policy of ICMM9 for all conference participants; it does not extend the formal scope of the CTU Code of Ethics to external attendees.

All participants are expected to follow this Code during ICMM9. It applies to participants, speakers, session chairs, committee members, organisers, volunteers, accompanying persons, guests, and others taking part in conference activities. It covers the scientific programme, breaks, social events, and conference-related communications, whether in person or online.

Expected conduct

Participants are expected to behave professionally, treat others respectfully, and respect personal boundaries. Harassment, intimidation, bullying, coercion, threats, demeaning conduct, unwelcome sexual attention or physical contact, and other behaviour that interferes with another person's dignity or safety are not acceptable.

Discriminatory treatment or harassment based on characteristics including race or ethnicity, nationality, language, religion or belief, political or other opinion, social or economic status, age, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disability, or health condition is not acceptable.

Scientific disagreement, including robust criticism of methods, assumptions, results, and interpretations, is an essential part of academic discussion and is welcome at ICMM9. Criticism must address the work or argument rather than the person and must be expressed professionally. Academic freedom does not excuse harassment or other conduct inconsistent with this Code.

Participants must follow reasonable instructions from conference organisers and venue staff concerning safety and the orderly conduct of conference activities.

Reporting a concern

A person who experiences or witnesses conduct inconsistent with this Code may use any of these conference reporting routes:

• Email the shared ICMM9 Organising Committee mailbox at icmm9@fsv.cvut.cz. Jan Zeman, Martin Doškář, and Marek Tyburec can access this inbox.
• Contact Jan Zeman, Conference Chair, directly at jan.zeman@cvut.cz or +420 224 354 472.
• Contact Martin Doškář, Conference Chair, directly at martin.doskar@cvut.cz.

During the conference, participants may also ask Jan Zeman or Martin Doškář to speak privately. A reporting person does not need to confront the person concerned before making a report and may bring a trusted support person to a conversation with a conference contact.

Reports may be made by the person directly affected or by a witness. A reporting person may provide as much information as they are comfortable sharing, including what happened, when and where it happened, who was involved, whether anyone else observed it, and what immediate help they need. Limited information may limit the action the organisers can take, but it will not prevent the concern from being heard.

If a concern involves someone who can access the shared mailbox, or the reporting person would prefer narrower disclosure, use a direct route to a named contact who is not involved. Anyone with an actual or potential conflict of interest will take no part in handling the report; an unconflicted organiser will coordinate the response and, where necessary, seek appropriate outside support.

How reports are handled

The organisers will address reports promptly and as discreetly as reasonably possible. Information will be shared only with people whose involvement is necessary to assess the concern, protect participants, or take appropriate action. Complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed when disclosure is necessary to respond to a serious safety risk or to meet a legal obligation.

The organisers will consider immediate safety, the wishes of the reporting person, the seriousness and context of the conduct, and the information available. Where appropriate and safe, a person whose conduct has been reported will have an opportunity to respond before a non-urgent final measure is taken. Interim safety measures may be used while a concern is assessed and do not by themselves represent a conclusion about what occurred.

Proportionate measures may include a conversation about the conduct, a warning, restrictions on participation in particular activities, requiring a person to leave an activity or the conference, or referral to the appropriate CTU body, home institution, venue security, or public authority. Measures will depend on the circumstances.

Retaliation against a person for making a good-faith report or assisting with its resolution is not acceptable. A good-faith report is one made honestly; it need not ultimately be substantiated. This conference procedure does not prevent anyone from seeking support or reporting the matter through their institution or a public authority.

Emergencies

If there is an immediate threat to life, health, or safety, call the Czech emergency services at 112 or the Police of the Czech Republic at 158. Contacting the conference is not a substitute for emergency help.

Supplementary CTU channels

The ICMM9 organisers are CTU employees and are also subject to the CTU Code of Ethics. Where a concern may involve a breach of that Code by a CTU employee, members of the CTU academic community and CTU employees may submit it within the Commission's remit to the CTU Ethics Commission. FCE students may also contact the FCE Student Ombudsman. These are supplementary institutional processes, not direct ICMM9 reporting routes for external attendees, and complement rather than replace the ICMM9 reporting routes above.