BioNT’s Code of Conduct

Members of the CoC committee

Silvia

Silvia Di Giorgio

serves as the Training and Community Manager for BioNT, where she coordinates and organizes workshops and community initiatives. She is a BioNT trainer with over seven years of experience in teaching computational skills to beginners. Silvia is passionate about building welcoming and inclusive learning environments.

If you wish to reach her directly, you can email her at digiorgio@zbmed.de

Isabela

Isabela Paredes Cisneros:

serves as the Project Manager for BioNT, where she oversees the coordination and implementation of the consortium's initiatives. As a trained Carpentries Instructor, she contributes as a helper in various workshops and is dedicated to introducing participants to BioNT's mission. With a commitment to fostering an inclusive and supportive training environment, she works diligently to uphold the principles of accessibility, respect, and collaboration that are fundamental to BioNT's Code of Conduct.

If you wish to reach her directly, you can email her at: isabela.paredes@embl.de

Rabea Müller

is a BioNT trainer with over six years of experience in teaching e.g. data science and research data management. She is actively involved in BioNT training courses as a trainer and helper, ensuring high-quality instruction and fostering an inclusive learning environment. Rabea is committed to creating safe spaces for all participants and upholding the principles of equity, diversity, and respect in every training setting.

If you wish to reach her directly, you can email her at: muellerr@zbmed.de

Yasmin Demerdash

is a BioNT ambassador who supports the BioNT community by attending training courses as a helper and promoting BioNT workshops. As a data manager at the Institute of Molecular Biology, she also provides training and support, leveraging her expertise to enhance research data management capabilities. Yasmin is committed to creating an inclusive and supportive environment in all her interactions, upholding the principles of equity, diversity, and respect.

If you wish to reach her directly, you can email her at: Y.Demerdash@imb-mainz.de

Teresa Müller

is a BioNT trainer with over six years of experience in teaching and training. Through her involvement in many of the BioNT training courses as a trainer and helper, she is committed to providing a safe and welcoming environment for all participants. Teresa is dedicated to upholding the principles which are outlined in this Code of Conduct.

If you wish to reach her directly, you can email her at: muellert@informatik.uni-freibrug.de

Alan O’Cais

is a BioNT trainer and is currently the technical manager of MultiXscale, a EuroHPC Centre of Excellence. He previously acted as the Software Manager of E-CAM, an EU Centre of Excellence in computing applications, while at Juelich Supercomputing Centre (JSC). Between 2010 and 2015, he was primarily focused within the LinkSCEEM-2 projec,t helping to develop a Virtual Research Community in Computational Science in the Eastern Mediterranean region.

If you wish to reach him directly, you can email him at: a.ocais@ub.edu

Code of Conduct

At BioNT, we are committed to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for everyone, regardless of background or identity. By participating in BioNT activities, you agree to adhere to our Code of Conduct, which promotes inclusive and respectful behaviour. This means using welcoming language, respecting different viewpoints, accepting constructive criticism, focusing on the community’s best interests, and showing courtesy to all members. If you encounter any behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct, please report it to the BioNT CoC Committee via email at coc-biont@embl.de. We will handle all reports confidentially and take appropriate actions to address any issues. The CoC Committee will aim to reach a resolution within one week of receiving a report. If more time is needed, we will provide the reporter(s) with an update and a projected timeline for resolution. If you believe there may be a conflict of interest, or if you feel more comfortable speaking with a specific person, you are welcome to contact a committee member directly (see the BioNT website for the list of committee members and their biographies).

1. Purpose

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to ensure that all participants in BioNT activities have a positive and enriching experience. We are dedicated to providing a harassment-free environment for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, age, religion, or any other protected characteristic.

2. Scope

This Code of Conduct applies to all BioNT spaces, including but not limited to:

  • Live (online and on-site) training events
  • Online forums and mailing lists
  • BioNT meetings and workshops
  • Any other interaction related to BioNT activities

3. Expected Behaviour

  • Respect and Courtesy: Treat all participants with respect and courtesy and be considerate and mindful of your language and actions
  • Collaboration and Inclusivity: Foster a spirit of collaboration, being inclusive and respecting diverse perspectives and experiences
  • Constructive Feedback: Provide constructive feedback that is specific, actionable, and delivered with the goal of improvement
  • Acknowledge Contributions: Recognize and appreciate the contributions of others

4. Unacceptable Behaviour

  • Harassment and Discrimination: Harassment and discrimination in any form will not be tolerated, including offensive comments, deliberate intimidation, stalking, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention
  • Disruptive Behaviour: Sustained disruption of discussions, presentations, or other events is not acceptable
  • Inappropriate Communication: Use of sexualized language or imagery or engaging in unwelcome sexual attention or advances is prohibited
  • Disrespectful or Impatient Requests: Making demands for help or assistance in a rude, impatient, or disrespectful manner is unacceptable. All interactions should be conducted with courtesy and understanding, recognizing that the person offering help is doing so voluntarily and deserves to be treated with respect.

5. Reporting Incidents

If you experience or witness any behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct, please report it to the BioNT CoC Committee please report it to the BioNT CoC Committee at coc-biont@embl.de. If you believe there may be a conflict of interest or if you feel more comfortable speaking with a specific person, you are welcome to contact a committee member separately or request an alternative point of contact (see the BioNT website for the list of committee members and their bios). All reports will be handled with discretion and confidentiality, and appropriate actions to address any issues will be taken. The CoC Committee will aim to reach a resolution within one week of receiving a report. If more time is needed, we will provide the reporter(s) with an update and a projected timeline for resolution.

Timeline for Resolution

The CoC committee will aim to reach a resolution within one week of receiving a report. If a resolution cannot be reached within that time, the committee will provide an update to the reporter(s) along with a projected timeline for resolution.

6. Enforcement

Participants asked to stop any harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. If a participant engages in behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct, the BioNT CoC Committee may take any action they deem appropriate, including warning the offender or exclusion from the community.

Areas of Responsibility

To ensure that our Code of Conduct and internal guidelines are effectively implemented, we have designated areas of responsibility. These coordinators can be contacted for matters related to their respective areas, even if they are not present at the meetings:

  • Online Presence: Silvia Di Giorgio, Isabela Paredes Cisneros
  • BioNT Workshops / Events: Rabea Müller, Yasmin Demerdash, and Teresa Müller
  • Intern Meetings: Will be covered by the grant agreement

Internal Guidelines for Conflict Resolution

1. Purpose

These guidelines provide a framework for addressing conflicts that may arise within the BioNT community. Our goal is to resolve disputes in a fair, transparent, and constructive manner.

2. Responsibilities

  • Online Presence Coordinator: Responsible for matters related to social media, online training materials and other resources available online.
  • Workshop Coordinator: Ensures that live training events are conducted in accordance with the CoC and addresses any on-site complaints.
  • Intern Meetings Coordinator: Facilitates a positive and respectful environment during intern meetings.

3. Conflict Resolution Process

Step 1 - Informal Resolution: Encourage the parties involved to resolve the conflict informally through open and respectful communication.

Step 2 - Mediation: If an informal resolution is not possible, a neutral third party from the BioNT CoC Committee will mediate the dispute.

Step 3 - Formal Complaint: If mediation fails, the issue can be escalated to a formal complaint. The BioNT CoC Committee will investigate and make a decision based on the findings. The CoC committee will aim to reach a resolution within one week of receiving the formal complaint. If this is not possible, the reporter(s) will receive an update with the status of the investigation and an estimated timeline for resolution.

4. Confidentiality

All conflict resolution processes will be conducted with the utmost respect for confidentiality. Information will only be shared with those directly involved in the resolution process.

5. Follow-Up

After a conflict has been resolved, follow-up meetings may be scheduled to ensure that the resolution is effective and that all parties are satisfied with the outcome.

Conclusion

By adhering to this Code of Conduct and following our internal guidelines for conflict resolution, we can ensure that BioNT remains a welcoming, inclusive, and productive environment for everyone. Thank you for being a part of our community and for your commitment to these principles. This document will be published on the BioNT website and will be reviewed regularly to ensure it remains relevant and effective. If you have any questions or suggestions for improvement, please contact the BioNT CoC Committee.

License

The BioNT Code of Conduct is based on the Code of Conducts of The Carpentries. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license. You are free to share and adapt this material, provided appropriate credit is given.