Statement on creating a safe and open working environment
The European Society for the Study of Human Evolution (ESHE) is committed to providing a safe space to all of our members regardless of age, ethnicity, race, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, disabilities, religion, or marital status.
Due to their centrality in professional training and networking in our discipline, we view conferences, fieldwork and social media as extensions of the workplace environment. As such, all institutional rules regarding appropriate behaviour apply in these contexts, as does this ESHE statement. The society will not tolerate harassment or bullying in any form, including online. Individuals who are currently sanctioned for assault or any form of harassment by an adjudicating institution will be immediately barred from taking part in ESHE events.
Our goal is to foster a culture that creates safe and open working environments at scientific meetings for all. ESHE is not an adjudicating body; however, ESHE has two Ombudspersons who can be consulted and who will help to seek out appropriate authorities with which to file claims of any form of harassment and assault. Typically, the line of formal complaint is through the home institution of the accused. All members should make themselves aware of the appropriate processes at their home institutions as well as the areas (i.e., legal jurisdictions) where fieldwork, meetings, and other business are conducted.
Ombudspersons
Our positions are independent of the board, follow internationally recognized codes of conduct, and are an essential part of ESHE's ethical approach to running our meetings and our Society. Specifically, our role is to act on behalf of the participants of the ESHE annual meetings in matters relating to misconduct. We can be contacted at any time or approached during the meetings to give advice on certain issues of academic and personal misconduct or to approach the board with grievances on behalf of the participant if they so wish. We help complainants report issues to the appropriate body while preserving their anonymity with the Board. Any consultation with one of us comes with an assurance of anonymity unless or until consent is expressly given. If we receive anonymous complaints, we will pass them to the board who will consider, record and monitor them.
