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Code of Conduct for the World Conference Marine Biodiversity 2026 and back-to-back events

By WCMB 2026 organising team and Equity, Diversity and Inclusion officers at VLIZ

 

The World Conference on Marine Biodiversity 2026 (WCMB 2026), organized by the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ), brings together a global community committed to understanding, protecting, and sustainably managing life in our oceans. To support an open, inclusive, and collaborative environment, all participants are expected to uphold the highest standards of professional conduct.

This Code of Conduct outlines our shared expectations for respectful behaviour and provides clear guidance for addressing concerns. Its purpose is to ensure that every participant can engage safely, contribute fully, and benefit from a conference atmosphere grounded in integrity, fairness, and mutual respect.

To that end, we expect everyone to abide by the following Code of Conduct:

Expected Behaviour

  • Treat everyone with respect and consideration.
  • Value diversity of views, backgrounds, and expertise.
  • Communicate openly and thoughtfully with others and be considerate of the multitude of views and opinions that are different than your own.
  • Engage in constructive scientific dialogue and critique.
  • Respect personal boundaries and cultural differences. Alert safety officer if you notice a dangerous situation or someone in distress.
  • Follow all conference policies, venue rules, and applicable laws.
  • Support a welcoming environment for early-career researchers and underrepresented groups.

Unacceptable Behaviour

Unacceptable behaviours include, but are not limited to:

  • Harassment, discrimination, or intimidation in any form.
  • Verbal, physical, or sexual harassment.
  • Demeaning, aggressive, or exclusionary language or actions.
  • Unwanted photography, recording, or online sharing of individuals or their work.
  • Disruption of talks, sessions, posters, or conference activities.
  • Retaliation against individuals who report concerns.
  • Misrepresentation, plagiarism, or other unethical scientific conduct.  

Reporting Concerns

If you experience or witness unacceptable behavior:

  • Contact the WCMB 2026 Conduct & Safety Team, available onsite and digitally throughout the conference.
  • Reports may be made in person, via a dedicated confidential email, or through an anonymous reporting form (details to be provided later).
  • All reports will be handled sensitively, confidentially, and without retaliation.

Consequences

Upon receiving a report, conference organizers may:

  • Issue a verbal or written warning.
  • Remove an individual from a session or activity.
  • Revoke conference participation without refund.
  • Contact venue security or relevant authorities if necessary.

The response will depend on the severity and frequency of the behavior, with the priority being participant safety.

Commitment to accessibility and inclusion

WCMB 2026 organisers and partners are committed to:

  • Providing accessible conference venues, materials, and digital platforms.
  • Supporting the participation of individuals from diverse backgrounds and career stages.
  • Accommodating special needs whenever possible (e.g., mobility, dietary, sensory).
  • Encouraging respectful and inclusive scientific dialogue.

Acknowledgement

By attending WCMB 2026 in any capacity, participants agree to abide by this Code of Conduct and to support the organizers in creating a safe, fair, and inclusive event for all.

Reference: Favaro, B., Oester, S., Cigliano, J.A., Cornick, L.A., Hind, E.J., Parsons, E.C.M., Woodbury, T.J. 2016. Your science conference should have a code of conduct.  Frontiers in Marine Science. Link: https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/marine-science/articles/10.3389/fmars.2016.00103/full