McDonald Institute Code of Conduct

As members of the national McDonald Institute network, we honor and uphold the values of our host universities, organizations, and facilities, each of which has established their own codes of conduct and workplace policies. The McDonald Institute Code of Conduct is designed to complement and enhance these frameworks, promoting a collaborative and respectful atmosphere in all our endeavors.

This Code is not intended to replace or replicate any existing obligations or authorities established by our respective post-secondary institutions or employers. Instead, it serves as a guiding framework to uphold our shared values and principles in our interactions within the McDonald Institute and with external stakeholders.

The Code of Conduct applies to all members of the McDonald Institute—including students, postdoctoral fellows, staff, engineers, research scientists, faculty, and board members—during internal and external events. This Code also applies to all participants in our events and programming. The McDonald Institute aims to foster a welcoming and inclusive space for everyone to engage, and expects each member or guest to conduct themselves in a respectful and open-minded manner, and to uphold the highest standards of professionalism and academic conduct.

All members are expected to: 

• Treat each other with respect; use welcoming, supportive, and inclusive language, considering the ways your words may impact others, and value the diversity of views and opinions.
• Behave professionally in both in-person and online spaces.
• Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public, including protection of the environment and the promotion of health and safety in the workplace.
• Strive to make an environment where every member of a group has the opportunity to participate, both within the facility and in social settings when appropriate.
• Encourage engagement by all members of the community.
• Hold oneself accountable for one’s actions.
• Respect each persons gender identity; do not deliberately misgender others.
• Remain considerate of dietary restrictions, familial obligations, religious observations, and other cultural practices.
• Obtain consent; explicit consent is needed from individuals before sharing names, publishing images, videos, or content taken from McDonald Institute activities.
• Be kind to others, and to yourself.

 

Inappropriate behaviour and harassment of McDonald Institute community members, in any form, will not be tolerated. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Offensive verbal comments related to age, gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, nationality, race, religion, language, or accent.
• The use of sexual language, nudity, and/or sexual images in virtual video or in-person platforms.
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, bullying, discrimination, photography or recording without consent.>
• Sustained disruption of talks, labs, break-out sessions, socials, etc.
• Unwanted sexual attention.
• Trolling.
• Sharing connection information to a platform with non-invited individuals. When connecting to any platform, participants should use their own name, and not attempt to misrepresent themselves in any way.
• Copying, redistributing, or using data from the McDonald Institute content without permission from the creators.

If you experience or witness a violation of the McDonald Institute Code of Conduct, we encourage you to take appropriate action based on your comfort level:

• Address the Issue: If you feel safe and comfortable doing so, we encourage you to address the situation directly with the individual involved. A respectful conversation can often clarify misunderstandings, foster resolution, and strengthen workplace communication.
• Report the Incident: If you do not feel comfortable addressing the issue directly, or if the behavior persists, please report the incident to your direct supervisor or the Manager for EDII Capacity Development within the McDonald Institute. You can do this by:
  • Submitting a written report via email to the Manager for EDII Capacity Development.
  • Speaking with your supervisor or the Manager for EDII Capacity Development, who will assess the appropriate body for following up with the complaint (i.e., Queen’s University Human Rights and Equity Office, Queen’s University Human Resources, a home institution’s human resources etc.).

All reports will be taken seriously and handled with discretion. While we cannot guarantee anonymity, the McDonald Institute is committed to protecting the identity of those who report violations to the best of our ability. Please note that, in some cases, university policies may require staff and faculty to report instances of harassment involving students. We will strive to handle all reports sensitively and to limit the disclosure of identifying information.

The McDonald Institute is not equipped to run independent investigations, but will act as the liaising institute with the appropriate offices handling complaints. The Manager for EDII Capacity Development will assess which office should receive the complaint. If an issue arises that is within the scope of the McDonald Institute’s capacity, the Management Team will respond accordingly to the complaint. Depending on the nature of the complaint, actions will be taken by the McDonald Institute or appropriate offices of partner organizations.

Retaliation against individuals who report violations or participate in investigations is strictly prohibited. We encourage an environment where all members feel safe to voice concerns without fear of negative repercussions.

This Code of Conduct will be periodically reviewed and updated to ensure its effectiveness and relevance in promoting a respectful and inclusive environment. The McDonald Institute is committed to continuously improving our practices and addressing the evolving needs of our community. Should you have any feedback, please contact the Manager for EDII Capacity Development.

We appreciate the commitment of all members to uphold the values outlined in this Code and to contribute to a positive and collaborative environment within the McDonald Institute.

 

Should you have any questions, considerations, or wish to file a complaint, please reach out to the Manager for EDII Capacity Development at EDII@mcdonaldinstitute.ca.