VMSG Code of Conduct
The Volcanic & Magmatic Studies Group (VMSG) is a Special Interest Group joint between the Geological Society of London and Mineralogical Society. These learned societies are signatories to the Science Council Declaration on Diversity, Equality and Inclusion.
Through their members, the Geological Society of London and Mineralogical Society have a duty in the public interest to provide a safe, productive and welcoming environment (whether in person or online) for all participants and attendees of meetings, workshops, and events regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, race, ethnicity, religion, disability, physical appearance, or career level. The Volcanic & Magmatic Studies Group is a joint special interest group of the Geological Society of London and the Mineralogical Society. The specific codes of conduct for these organisations are available from https://www.geolsoc.org.uk/codeofconduct and https://www.minersoc.org/code-of-conduct.html.
The Code of Conduct outlined below specifically applies to all participants in Volcanic & Magmatic Studies Group activities, including VMSG-organised conferences, workshops and fieldtrips, and their ancillary events and social gatherings, whether held in person or online. The Volcanic & Magmatic Studies Group expects all participants — including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, service providers and representatives to outside bodies — to uphold the principles of this Code of Conduct. The Code of Conduct can also be downloaded as a PDF file.
- Behaviour
The Volcanic & Magmatic Studies Group aims to provide a constructive, supportive, inclusive, and professionally stimulating environment for all its members. Members of the VMSG community are expected to behave in a professional manner at all times.
- Unacceptable Behaviour
Harassment and/or sexist, racist, or other inappropriate or discriminative comments or jokes are not appropriate and will not be tolerated.
Harassment includes sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, sexual attention or innuendo, deliberate intimidation, stalking, and photography or recording of an individual without consent. It also includes offensive comments related to any protected characteristics as defined in the UK Equality Act 2010 and the Ireland Equal Status Acts (2000-2018), including age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, language, citizenship, ethnic origin, race, or religion.
- Reporting
If an incident of unacceptable conduct occurs (either within or outside the premises for in person events, or online) during a meeting or event, then the aggrieved person or witness to the unacceptable conduct is encouraged to report it promptly to a member of the Volcanic & Magmatic Studies Group Committee either in person or via email. Incidents may be reported to the VMSG Committee email address: vmsg.reporting@gmail.com or verbally or via direct email to one of the VMSG committee members.
- Breach of the Code of Conduct and Reporting
Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behaviour is expected to immediately cease and desist.
Once the Volcanic & Magmatic Studies Group is notified, the committee member will discuss the details first with the individual raising the complaint, then any witnesses who have been identified, and then the alleged offender, before determining an appropriate course of action.
Actions in response to breaching this Code of Conduct will range from a verbal warning to immediate removal from the meeting or activity without refund of registration fee. The Volcanic & Magmatic Studies Group also reserve the right to prohibit attendance at any future meeting or other society-sponsored event.
Confidentiality will be maintained to the extent that it does not compromise the rights of others.
- Photograph, recordings, and social media at VMSG events
Photography is allowed for personal and social media use unless indicated by the presenter (e.g., stated by the presenter, indicated on the poster or presentation). However, recordings are not permitted. Open discussion of presentations given at VMSG events on social media is allowed unless indicated by the presenter (e.g., stated by the presenter, indicated on the poster or presentation). Include the name of the presenter so they get credit for their work if you share photographs of them or their slides/poster.
