Menu
Menu
Install this application on your home screen for quick and easy access when you’re on the go.
Just tap then “Add to Home Screen”
ECPR’s mission is to advance the study of politics, international relations and its related disciplines across Europe and the rest of the world. To achieve this mission, we provide platforms and environments for scholars to come together both in person and virtually/electronically to share and discuss each other’s research, to collaborate on projects and to develop new initiatives. We facilitate these endeavours through a broad portfolio of activities, which in turn have grown a community of thousands of scholars, from all career stages located at universities and research centres around the world. This diverse and multicultural community, and the principle that all within it are considered and treated equally, is the essence of ECPR.
This community is supported by a professional staff, based in the UK, and by a board of trustees (the Executive Committee) drawn from ECPR’s membership. Members of the community work alongside the staff and Executive Committee to help deliver certain activities or projects. Their roles are defined as either being volunteers, if they provide a service for free (e.g. Standing Group Steering Committee members) or contractors (e.g. Editors, Methods School Convenors, Instructors and Teaching Assistants) if they are paid a fee for their work. ECPR also appoints professional service providers (such as catering staff) in order to deliver some activities. The actions and behaviours of all individuals working on behalf of ECPR reflect on and can directly impact the reputation of the organisation, so it is imperative that everyone adheres to the same high professional standards.
To ensure that everyone can always work within a safe and respectful environment, ECPR has developed a Code of Conduct which sets out an agreed standard of behaviour that all people, however they interact with the organisation, are expected to follow.
We have seen enormous growth and diversification of our members, affiliates and membership institutions over the last 50 years. In this time, we have seen a fundamental shift in attitudes and awareness over what constitutes professional relationships and acceptable behaviour. In an environment of ever-changing social norms and expectations, it is therefore advisable to be explicit, rather than implicit in what is
A code of conduct provides an explicit set of rules, outlining the responsibilities and practices of an individual or organisation. It is designed to explain what cannot be done and outlines the repercussions for anyone who chooses to violate those rules.
Critics of codes of conduct and anti-harassment policies often put forward the view that having a code in place does not actually stop harassment from occurring. That is indeed correct; someone intent on harassment is unlikely to be deterred by a document alone. Much like our laws and judicial system however, a code of conduct is explicit in its expectations and consequences, allowing perpetrators to be dealt with fairly, transparently and consistently. It provides the organisation with an objective framework and set plan of action, rather than vague and subjective notions of propriety.
As ECPR continues to grow and evolve, the chances of an incident occurring will grow, too. A solid code of conduct and complaints policy will not only help us manage this but will also be a signal to our community and to those on the periphery, looking to enter it, that they are safe and welcome. ECPR chooses to confront this possibility and to be pro-active, not reactive, in its endeavour to create a better society for everyone.
To ensure the success of all ECPR activities, all stakeholders must be able to work in an environment conducive to open and equitable exchange and discourse. ECPR is committed to upholding these values and as such, disrespectful, discriminatory, inappropriate or unprofessional behaviour or harassment towards other scholars and colleagues, staff, volunteers or contractors of ECPR will not be tolerated. Some examples of unacceptable behaviour include (but are not limited to):
ECPR’s events provide an opportunity for colleagues old and new to meet to share research and build their networks. Scholarly interaction is at the heart of all events and this can only thrive within a welcoming, respectful and nurturing atmosphere. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and concerns about the impact of scholarly events on climate change, has led to a shift towards more online meetings, training, workshops and conferences.
The Code of Conduct and Complaints Procedure apply equally across both physical and virtual interactions. Those involved in an ECPR event in either setting, from those delivering courses or chairing a panel or workshop, to those taking part as a student or presenter are expected to adhere to the highest possible professional standards.
ECPR (in partnership with the local host where applicable), is responsible for ensuring the health, safety and wellbeing for all participants, staff and exhibitors at its events. In order to meet this responsibility, the ECPR has developed a number of policies, procedures and guidelines for each group to follow. All policies and procedures related to events apply equally to those organised by our Standing Groups and Research Networks.
The Code of Conduct does not just apply to interactions taking place during its events but across all activities occurring under the auspices of ECPR. It therefore also applies to all individuals working with and representing ECPR. This includes, but is not limited to:
We have agreed standards for service and communication with our staff. In return we expect that all members of the community treat staff with respect and professionalism. As such all tenets and protections of the Code of Conduct apply equally to staff.
As trustees our Executive Committee are ultimately responsible for the organisation and therefore are expected to adhere to the highest standards in their conduct with members, staff, participants, contractors, volunteers, and each other.
The Steering Committees of our Standing Groups and Research Networks play a significant role in shaping ECPR activities, through developing Workshops and Sections and holding their own events. Through these and other activities, and via communication with their own memberships, Steering Committee members are high profile representatives of ECPR so should always adhere to the highest standards of conduct.
Through their interactions with authors and reviewers ECPR’s editorial teams play an important role in shaping the academic content of our journals and book series, and determining which research is brought into the public realm. All editorial teams should be mindful of the obligations attached to this responsibility. Editors are also expected to adhere to the COPE guidelines on publication ethics.
Our Methods School Convenors play a key role in building the training programmes at the Winter and Summer Schools, identifying courses, and selecting the Instructors and Teaching Assistants to deliver them. All ACs should be mindful of the obligations attached to that responsibility. Instructors and TAs are contracted by ECPR to deliver courses on its behalf, as such they are representing the organisation during their time in that role and should be mindful of that in all interactions.
It is ECPR’s responsibility to provide a safe environment for all; this includes knowing how to deal with violations of the Code of Conduct in a professional and clear manner. The list of unacceptable behaviours in our Code of Conduct is deliberately kept broad in scope and given the range of opportunities for interaction under the auspices of ECPR, there are many locations and environments where breaches can occur.
We take our duty of care seriously and commit to following up all reports of breaches to the Code of Conduct.
All reports of Code of Conduct breaches and complaints will be escalated to the relevant Line Manager who will decide whether the complaint requires further action and if so, will invoke our procedure for investigating and resolving complaints.
ECPR will appoint a Duty Officer or First Point of Contact at every event or activity. This person is a trained member of staff on duty who will perform initial triage and handling of incidence(s), particularly complaints of discrimination, harrassment or assault.
Nirusha Vigi, Duty Officer at the Joint Sessions of Workshops, is contactable on +44 (0) 7397541600.
Complaints can be made in person to the Duty Officer (during an ECPR event), in writing via complaints@ecpr.eu or using an anonymised online form. The procedure for receiving, investigating and resolving complaints is laid out in the ECPR Complaints Procedure.
All complaints will be assumed to have been made in good faith, irrespective of whether they have been raised anonymously, or in person. Anonymous complaints will be considered and kept on file, but by their nature we may not be able to investigate them or provide an official response. Where a complaint is found to have been made maliciously, it will be dismissed.
When reviewing a complaint, we will determine whether the Code of Conduct has been violated and what, if any, consequences will follow the violation. Where the names of the complainant and accused perpetrator are given, both parties will be informed of the process and any findings and decisions at the end of it.