ASTC Annual Conference Civil Discourse Policy
Approved by the ASTC Executive Committee on September 11, 2024
ASTC respects and values its members sharing ideas on the full range of issues and challenges currently impacting the globe. As an organization dedicated to increasing understanding of and engagement with science and technology among all people, ASTC has previously stated its position that humanity cannot begin to understand and work to solve major science and innovation challenges without fairly and equally engaging and amplifying the creativity, ingenuity, and expertise of diverse people, perspectives, and groups. ASTC believes this sentiment extends beyond scientific and technological issues and is essential to understanding and solving any human challenge: in short, ASTC believes inclusivity is critical to finding solutions. ASTC does not support sharing of ideas that exclude members or individuals as a means to solve any issue.
In accordance with these principles, ASTC may designate a Civil Discourse Space at its Annual Conference, or any in-person event, to allow conference attendees to respectfully and productively share their ideas and opinions. The Civil Discourse Space will be available for any conference attendee (but not available to non-conference attendees)* to respectfully and productively share ideas in line with ASTC’s Code of Conduct, ASTC’s broad commitment to inclusion, and ASTC’s goal of providing all conference attendees with a safe and welcoming environment.
Importantly, by designating a space as a Civil Discourse Space ASTC’s intent is to provide a space for respectful and productive public discourse among conference attendees. ASTC does not endorse or condone the ideas shared at Civil Discourse Space the ideas shared are those of the individuals who state them and ASTC reserves the right to make contradictory statements. ASTC will not support, and will take steps to stop action or the sharing of ideas that:
- Violates the law
- Defames a specific individual or organization
- Constitutes a genuine threat or harassment
- Unjustifiably invades substantial privacy or confidentiality interests
- Consistent with ASTC’s Code of Conduct, involves contact or includes language, action, or imagery of a violent, threatening, sexual, discriminatory, demeaning, or disruptive nature
- Are directly incompatible with the functioning of the ASTC 2024 Annual Conference or prevent the normal operation of any conference-related facilities.
*ASTC 2024 Annual Conference spaces are available only to conference registrants. Non-registrants—whether they are part of ASTC’s community or not—are not permitted access to any space where ASTC 2024 Annual Conference events are taking place and are subject to removal.