Codes of Conduct at R Conferences

[Martyn Plummer]

The useR! conferences in 2014 and 2015 both had codes of conduct in
order to ensure an experience free from harassment for all participants.
After a request from some members of the R community, the R Foundation
has decided to endorse this practice. Future conferences supported by
the R Foundation must have a code of conduct.  We encourage other R
meetings not affiliated with the R Foundation to adopt the same policy.

A code of conduct serves two important purposes. Firstly, it sends a
clear message to those outside the community that an R conference is a
professional and comfortable working environment for all participants.
Secondly, it provides a mechanism for reporting and monitoring any
incidents of harassment that may occur.

We have decided not to require a particular formulation for the code of
conduct, but suggest that conference organizers use the model of the
useR! 2015 meeting ( http://user2015.math.aau.dk/behaviouR ). This will
allow the code to be adapted to local circumstances and to evolve in the
future. Conference organizers should ensure that any sanctions laid out
in the code of conduct are legally and practically enforceable. 

Vigorous debate and lively exchange are important features of R
conferences. We expect this to continue within the boundaries set by the
code of conduct.

For the R Foundation
Martyn Plummer, Co-President

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