We the participants, employees, and other individuals involved with Neural Information Processing Systems, come together for the open exchange of ideas, the freedom of thought and expression, and for respectful scientific debate which is central to the goals of this Conference. This requires a community and an environment that recognizes and respects the inherent worth of every person.

RESPONSIBILITY

All participants, organizers, reviewers, speakers, media, sponsors, and volunteers (referred to as “Participants” collectively throughout this document) at our Conference, workshops, and Conference-sponsored social events are required to agree with this Code of Conduct both during an event and on official communication channels, including social media.

Sponsors are equally subject to this Code of Conduct. In particular, sponsors should not use images, activities, or other materials that are of a sexual, racial, or otherwise offensive nature. This code applies both to official sponsors as well as any organization that uses the Conference name as branding as part of its activities at or around the Conference.

Organizers will enforce this Code, and it is expected that all Participants will cooperate to help ensure a safe and inclusive environment for everyone.

POLICY

The conference commits itself to providing an experience for all Participants that is free from the following [1]:

• Harassment, bullying, and discrimination which includes but is not limited to:
  • Offensive comments related to age, race, religion, creed, color, gender (including transgender/gender identity/gender expression), sexual orientation, medical condition, physical or intellectual disability, pregnancy, or medical conditions, national origin or ancestry.
  • intimidation, personal attacks, harassment, unnecessary disruption of talks or other conference events.
• Inappropriate or unprofessional behavior that interferes with another's full participation including:
  • sexual harassment, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, inappropriate physical contact, unwelcome attention, public vulgar exchanges, derogatory name-calling, and diminutive characterizations.
  • Use of images, activities, or other materials that are of a sexual, racial, or otherwise offensive nature that may create an inappropriate or toxic environment.
  • Disorderly, boisterous, or disruptive conduct including fighting, coercion, theft, damage to property, or any mistreatment or non-businesslike behavior towards participants.
  • Zoom bombing or any virtual activity that is not related to the topic of discussion which detracts from the topic or the purpose of the program. This includes inappropriate remarks in chat areas as deemed inappropriate by presenters/monitors/event leaders.
  • Individuals and organizations that make false claims or accusations related to Neural Information Processing Systems’ business or inappropriately make comments online as if they represent Neural Information Processing Systems without advanced approval.
• Scientific misconduct including fabrication, falsification, or plagiarism of paper submissions or research presentations, including demos, exhibits or posters.

This Code of Conduct applies to the actual meeting sites and conference venues where Neural Information Processing Systems business is being conducted, including physical, virtual venues, and official virtual engagement platforms, including video, virtual streaming, and chat-based interactions. Neural Information Processing Systems is not responsible for non-sponsored activity or behavior that may occur at non-sponsored locations such as hotels, restaurants, physical, virtual, or other locations not otherwise deemed a sanctioned space for Neural Information Processing Systems sponsored events. Nonetheless, any issues brought to the Hotline Relations Counselors will be considered. However, it is also the case that Neural Information Processing Systems cannot actively monitor voluntary social media platforms and cannot follow-up on every transaction occurring between individuals who voluntarily engage in argument and altercation outside the Neural Information Processing Systems sponsored events virtual or otherwise.

ACTION

If a Participant engages in any inappropriate behavior as defined herein, the Conference organizers may take action as deemed appropriate, including: a formal or informal warning to the offender, expulsion from the conference with no refund, barring from participation in future conferences or their organization, reporting the incident to the offender’s local institution or funding agencies, or reporting the incident to local authorities or law enforcement. A response of "just joking" is not acceptable. If action is taken, an appeals process will be made available. View the Code of Conduct Procedures document for further details regarding the reporting of complaints or incidents. There will be no retaliation against any Participant who brings a complaint or submits an incident report in good faith or who honestly assists in investigating such a complaint. All issues brought forth to the onsite Hotline Relations Counselors during the course of a Conference will be immediately investigated.

COMPLAINT REPORTING

The Conference encourages all Participants to immediately report any incidents of discrimination, harassment, unprofessional conduct, and/or retaliation so that complaints can be quickly and fairly resolved. All complaints will be handled as confidentially as possible and information will be disclosed only as it is necessary to complete the investigation and bring to resolution. Please refer to the complete Code of Conduct Procedures document for further details regarding the reporting of complaints or incidents. There will be no retaliation against any Participant who brings a complaint or submits an incident report in good faith or who honestly assists in investigating such a complaint. All issues brought forth to the onsite Hotline Relations Counselors during the course of a Conference will be immediately investigated.

If you have concerns related to your participation/interaction at the Conference or Conference sanctioned events, or observe someone else's difficulties, or have any other concerns you wish to share, please contact the Neural Information Processing Systems Hotline Email at hotline@neurips.cc or by calling the Neural Information Processing Systems Hotline phone number at 858-208-3810 where you can speak with an HR Consultant. You may also use our Contact Form. In addition, an HR Consultant will be present at the annual Conference. Participants may look for signage or check in with the Registration Desk to locate their station. Complaints and violations will be researched and investigated as appropriate by the HR Consultant. Reports made during the Conference will be responded to within 24 hours; those at other times in less than two weeks. We are prepared and eager to help Participants contact relevant help services, to escort them to a safe location, or to otherwise assist those experiencing harassment of any sort to feel safe for the duration of the Conference. We gratefully accept feedback from the Neural Information Processing Systems community on policy and actions using the contact form above.

[1] specifically, the following list covers in more detail features of behavior that could be subject to prejudice, harassment or discrimination: physical, cultural, or linguistic characteristics associated with a national origin group; marriage to or association with persons of a national origin group; tribal affiliation; membership in or association with an organization identified with or seeking to promote the interests of a national origin group; attendance or participation in schools, churches, temples, mosques, or other religious institutions generally used by persons of national origin group; and any name that is associated with a national origin group, genotype, marital status or registered domestic partner status. Other examples include: breastfeeding, military or veteran status, politics, technology choices, and age.