Code of Conduct

ALGA adopts the recommendations of the SafeTOC report to combat harassment and discrimination in the Theory of Computing community.

All participants at ALGA must observe the code of conduct of ALGA reported here.

Code of Conduct at ALGA

ALGA seeks to create an environment that encourages open idea exchange and supports the development and strengthening of professional relationships and potential collaborations. This requires an environment that embraces diversity and that is safe, welcoming, and promotes the free exchange of ideas for all.  For this reason, we do not tolerate actions that contribute to harassment, discrimination, or academic dishonesty in any form. This policy applies to all workshop-related activities, including:

• workshop sessions and events sponsored by the workshop;

• ancillary events and unofficial social gatherings, even those outside the workshop venue;

• exchanges among committees or other bodies associated with ALGA, including those on social media.

Expected Behavior

We expect all participants at ALGA activities to abide by the following guidelines:

• Refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior and speech.

• Be mindful of your surroundings and your fellow participants: for example, other people within earshot may feel uncomfortable with your comments even if they are not your intended audience.

Alert SafeTOC advocates (listed below) or the ALGA organizers and/or intervene (if safe and possible) when you notice a dangerous situation, someone in distress, or violations of these guidelines, even if they seem inconsequential to you. For example, if you are concerned about an individual, you can accompany them so they are not alone, redirect the conversation, and check in with the person later, or find an excuse to pull them aside and ask if they are okay. 

Avoid engaging in plagiarism or misappropriation of ideas shared openly by others, especially when those ideas are unpublished.

Unacceptable Behavior

Unacceptable at any workshop-related activity is:

• Abuse: Any action directed at an individual that (a) interferes substantially with that person’s participation; or (b) causes that person to fear for his/her personal safety. This includes threats, intimidation, bullying, stalking, or other types of abuse.

• Discriminatory Harassment: Any conduct that discriminates or denigrates an individual on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, citizenship, nationality, age, sexual or gender identity, disability, or any other characteristic protected by law in the location where the workshop activity takes place.

• Sexual Harassment: Unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favors, or other verbal/physical conduct of a sexual nature. Examples include (but are not limited to): unwelcome advances or propositions, particularly when one individual has authority over the other; inappropriate touching of an individual’s body; degrading or humiliating comments about an individual’s appearance;

• Plagiarism: Actions that take the ideas of others, without their permission, and pass them off as one’s own, especially those that threaten the open, informal, and collaborative nature of the workshop.

Some important reminders:

• Your words and actions can have impacts even if you had no deliberate intention to offend. If something about your behavior is brought up to you as offensive or harmful, it is important to recognize the impact of your actions, regardless of your intent.

• Behaviors from the list above are unacceptable even if they are done in a joking manner, intended as a joke, or communicated in the form of a compliment.

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior

If a participant at ALGA engages in prohibited behavior, the organizers reserve the right to take any action deemed appropriate to ensure the physical and emotional safety of the attendees, including removing an individual from the workshop without warning or refund. Appropriate sanctions will also be taken toward any individual who knowingly makes a false allegation of misconduct.

Reporting Unacceptable Behavior at Workshop Activities

In the event of unacceptable behavior, the best people to approach are the ToC advocates attending the workshop, listed below. If you feel uncomfortable approaching any of the ToC advocates present, then you can approach the organizers. These individuals can provide information about the process for handling complaints or handling immediate onsite needs.

2025 SafeTOC Advocates:

Alkmini Sgouritsa: alkmini “at” aeub “dot” gr

Laura Sanità: laura.sanita “at” unibocconi “dot” it