Code of Conduct

NNLM is dedicated to providing a welcoming and supportive environment for all people, regardless of background or identity. NNLM seeks to create a space where individuals may learn, network, and enjoy the company of colleagues in an atmosphere of mutual human respect.

As such, we expect respectful interactions among instructors and learners. We do not tolerate discrimination or harassment based on characteristics that include, but are not limited to gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, ability, physical appearance, body size, citizenship, nationality, ethnic or social origin, pregnancy, familial status, veteran status, genetic information, religion or belief (or lack thereof), membership of a national minority, age, education, socio-economic status, neurodiversity, and experience level. Everyone has the right to professional interaction without fear, intimidation, belittlement, or microaggressions.

Everyone who participates in NNLM activities is expected to adhere to this Code of Conduct, which is based on NIH policies and procedures, including Chapter 1311 of the NIH Policy Manual. Each participant is entirely responsible for their own behavior, regardless of intentions. It applies to all spaces of NNLM including, but not limited to, online webinars and classes, workshops, email lists, online forums, and evaluation instruments. By registering for and/or participating in NNLM environments, you agree to abide by this Code of Conduct.

In order to foster a positive and professional learning environment, we encourage the following kinds of behaviors in all NNLM events and platforms:

  • use welcoming and inclusive language, including pronouns
  • be respectful of different viewpoints and experiences
  • show courtesy and respect towards other community members in speech and action
  • show respect for individuals’ personal boundaries
  • leave room for each other in the conversation
  • own the impact of our words and actions

Examples of unacceptable behavior include:

  • sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic, xenophobic, ableist, or exclusionary jokes or statements
  • causing someone to fear for their safety, such as through stalking, following, or intimidation
  • threats or violent language directed against another person
  • the display of sexual or violent images
  • unwelcome sexual attention
  • nonconsensual or unwelcome physical contact
  • disruptive behavior or language that interferes with or obstructs the teaching or learning process 
  • insults or put-downs, including “trolling” and “sealioning” (asking questions intended to harass),
  • incitement to violence, suicide, or self-harm
  • continuing to initiate interaction (including photography or recording) with someone after being asked to stop
  • publication of private information or communication without consent including “doxxing” or recording chat conversations or forum posts.

Participants who are asked to stop any inappropriate behavior are expected to comply immediately.

Plagiarism

NNLM aims to maintain standards and conventions of academic integrity appropriate to a professional-development curriculum in its classes. All forms of plagiarism are prohibited, including recycling assignments, fabricating research, and colluding with others on individual work unless expressly permitted as part of an assignment.  Use of standard citation styles are at the discretion of the instructor as appropriate to the level of discussion. Unattributed submission of text principally generated through artificial intelligence technology is not permitted. For a detailed explanation of plagiarism, see https://owl.purdue.edu/owl/avoiding_plagiarism/index.html.

Incident Reporting

In accordance with NIH policies and procedures, violations of the NNLM Code of Conduct may be reported to the class instructor or event host, to the NNLM Training Office (nto@utah), or anonymously via this form to NTO. Instructors or event hosts may temporarily suspend participants from a class or event pending incident resolution.

Violations by a participant may result in:

  • warning
  • removal from class/event, with or without warning
  • removal/suspension from NNLM classes and other events for a period of time

Violations by an NNLM instructor will be handled by the relevant supervising institution.

For assistance in resolving disputes or handling incidents, any involved party may request a review by an ad hoc team consisting of a representative from the NLM User Engagement Program, the NNLM Training Office, the Associate Director of the instructor’s NNLM Region, Office, or Center and the instructor. The team will respond within two business days.

This code is effective through the end of the current NNLM cooperative agreement on April 30, 2026, unless and until superseded by a new code. 

This document was adapted from the following sources:

last updated: 05/01/24 11:17