Code of Conduct

ISRE 2026 · Meeting of the International Society for Research on Emotion · 11–14 July 2026 · Brisbane Convention & Exhibition Centre, Australia

1. Introduction

The International Society for Research on Emotion (“ISRE”) is dedicated to providing a safe and productive experience for all participants and attendees at all official ISRE events regardless of sex (including pregnancy, sexual orientation and gender identity), race, color, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, perceived disability, ancestry, genetic information, or any other basis protected by applicable laws. ISRE does not tolerate discrimination or any form of harassment and is committed to enforcing this Code of Conduct (the “Code”) at its Annual Meeting and at any other events conducted or sponsored by ISRE. As a professional society, ISRE is committed to providing an atmosphere that encourages the free expression and exchange of scientific and educational ideas. Furthermore, ISRE upholds the philosophy of equal opportunity for and treatment of all meeting participants and staff in any venue.

2. Scope of Code

This Code applies to all participants, staff, guests, and vendors at all official ISRE events, including the biennial meeting, committee meetings, social events, and other activities that are expressly sponsored or promoted by ISRE. This applies whether events are held in public or private facilities, as a condition of attending the event.

This policy is an expression of ISRE’s values and commitment to a safe and productive experience for all participants and attendees at its official events. This policy is not an acknowledgement, admission, or description of ISRE’s legal obligations with respect to any of the subject matters addressed herein, nor does it create any such legal obligations.

3. Harassment Defined

Prohibited harassment includes verbal, physical, and visual conduct that creates an intimidating, offensive, or hostile environment. Harassing conduct can take many forms and includes, but is not limited to, the following: slurs, epithets, derogatory comments, insults, degrading or obscene words, jokes, demeaning statements, offensive gestures, or displaying derogatory or demeaning pictures, drawings, or cartoons based upon an individual’s sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, physical or mental disability, perceived disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by applicable law.

Sexually harassing conduct in particular includes all of these prohibited actions, as well as other unwelcome conduct that is sexual in nature, such as unwanted sexual advances; lewd propositions or innuendos; leering; making sexual gestures; making sexually suggestive or graphic comments or engaging in inappropriate sexually-oriented conversation; displaying sexually suggestive objects, graphics, pictures, or posters, whether physically or over the Internet, except those graphics that are a part of scientific discourse; making or using derogatory comments, epithets, slurs or jokes; the sexual touching or display of one’s own body; or unwanted physical touching or assault, as well as impeding or blocking movements. Sexual harassment includes making conduct of a sexual nature a condition of, or factor in, participation or enjoyment of benefits, meetings or events, or when such conduct otherwise has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with a person’s ability to benefit from and enjoy or participate in the meeting or event.

Sexually harassing conduct can be by a person of any gender that is directed at another person of any gender. Conduct that begins as consensual in nature may become harassment if one party withdraws consent. Sexual or other harassment as specified in this Code is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.

The above list of prohibited behaviors is not a complete rendering of what may be deemed sexual or other harassment prohibited by this policy. It is impossible to define every action or word that could be interpreted as harassment. However, ISRE has a “zero tolerance” policy toward discrimination and all forms of harassment, even if it is not specifically referred to or defined in this Code, or is not legally actionable as sexual or any other form of harassment.

4. Prohibited Conduct

Prohibited conduct at ISRE meetings includes, but is not limited to:

1. discrimination or harassment based on sex, race, color, national origin, religion, age, physical disability, mental disability, perceived disability, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other basis protected by applicable laws;
2. sexual harassment, as defined in Section 3;
3. abusive conduct that has the purpose or effect of unreasonably interfering with another person’s ability to benefit from and enjoy or participate in the meeting or event;
4. undue or excessive interruption of any event, speaker, or session; and
5. violence or threats of violence.

5. Reporting an Incident

Meeting participants or other individuals who witness or experience inappropriate conduct at an ISRE meeting or other official ISRE event, including but not limited to the prohibited conduct described above, should report such conduct immediately to the President of ISRE (Disa Sauter; d.sauter@uva.nl). If an individual is uncomfortable reporting the conduct to the President of ISRE for any reason, they may report the conduct to a designated representative of the Early Career Researchers (ECR, Manny Gonzalez; mgonzalez47@gmail.com). Any individual reporting such conduct may but is not required or expected to discuss the concern with the alleged offender.

Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior at an ISRE event that is an immediate or serious threat to the safety of those present, or to the public, is advised to locate a house phone and ask for security, or to otherwise contact the authorities for protection.

ISRE cannot address claimed inappropriate conduct or harassment unless the claims are brought to the attention of ISRE leadership. Meeting participants are encouraged to report any incidents of perceived violations of this policy as quickly as they can, or as soon as they feel safe doing so.

ISRE is committed to taking reasonable steps to prevent harassment and other prohibited conduct at its meetings and will make reasonable efforts to promptly and completely address and correct any prohibited conduct that may occur at an official ISRE event, by taking immediate action at the event, as appropriate, pending completion of a prompt and impartial investigation as set forth in Section 6. ISRE will keep any investigation of an alleged violation of this policy confidential as far as possible.

ISRE can only investigate situations that arise at ISRE meetings or other ISRE-sponsored events. If a meeting participant experiences inappropriate conduct or harassment at the participant’s own or another institution, at a place of work, at a research facility, or online but not via ISRE-sponsored channels, that individual should contact the appropriate person or department responsible for addressing such conduct at that particular institution, facility or medium.

6. Investigation

ISRE, and/or a designated independent consultant, will promptly and impartially investigate the facts and circumstances of any claim of inappropriate conduct or harassment under this policy. ISRE will make every effort to keep the reporting individual’s concerns confidential and will not deliberately share personal information, other than as necessary to carry out the purpose of investigation. While complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, ISRE will keep the investigation and its findings as confidential as possible under the circumstances.

During an investigation, ISRE or a designated independent consultant subject to obligations of confidentiality, generally will do the following (as necessary) to make a determination as to appropriate action:

• document the nature of the complaint;
• interview the complainant;
• conduct further interviews as necessary, such as with witnesses;
• interview the alleged offender, at an appropriate time;
• document ISRE’s findings regarding the complaint;
• document recommended follow-up actions and remedies, if warranted; and
• inform the complainant of the basic nature of ISRE’s findings.

ISRE will attempt to investigate any complaint or report of a violation of this policy in a prompt and timely manner. Upon completion of the investigation, ISRE will take appropriate corrective measures against any person who has engaged in conduct prohibited by this policy, if ISRE determines such measures are necessary. Such remedial action may include, but is not limited to, the items listed below in Section 7.

7. Disciplinary Action

If ISRE determines that an individual has engaged in prohibited conduct, ISRE shall determine the appropriate action to be taken, which may include, but is not limited to:

• private reprimand;
• removal from the Meeting without warning or refund;
• implementation of conditions upon attendance at current and/or future ISRE Meetings;
• restriction from attendance at future ISRE Meetings; or
• expulsion from ISRE.

In addition, ISRE may, but is not required to, report any incident to proper authorities, including but not limited to law enforcement. ISRE will do so if, in its sole discretion, such reporting is advisable or necessary. Nothing in this policy shall restrict or discourage any individual who experiences or is the target of conduct prohibited by this policy from reporting such conduct to the authorities, to the extent the individual deems such a report advisable or necessary.

8. Retaliation Is Not Tolerated

Retaliation for complaints of inappropriate conduct or harassment are also considered harassment and will not be tolerated. Retaliation for participating in the investigation of a complaint or any proceeding related to such a complaint is also prohibited by this policy and will not be tolerated. Retaliatory behavior in connection with ISRE meetings will be investigated in a similar manner to initial complaints.

Incident Report Process

Meeting participants or other individuals who witness or experience inappropriate conduct at an ISRE meeting or other event, including but not limited to the prohibited conduct described in this Code of Conduct, should report such conduct immediately to the President of ISRE (Disa Sauter; d.sauter@uva.nl). If the individual is uncomfortable reporting the conduct to the President of ISRE for any reason, the individual may report the conduct to a designated representative of the Early Career Researchers (ECR, Manny Gonzalez; mgonzalez47@gmail.com).

Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior at an ISRE event that is an immediate or serious threat to the safety of those present, or to the public, is advised to locate a house phone and ask for security, or to otherwise contact the authorities for protection. ISRE will keep any investigation of an alleged violation of the ISRE Code of Conduct as confidential as possible.

General suggestions for reporting incidents

1. Where possible, write everything down (times, places, nature of the incident, and comments made).
2. Save emails, notes, etc.
3. Be as detailed as possible.

Information to provide

1. Name (optional). Note: ISRE will accept anonymous complaints and/or reports of harassing conduct in violation of this policy. Without the identity of the alleged victim and/or complainant, however, it could be difficult to corroborate the conduct alleged.
2. Contact information.
3. Name of alleged offender (if you are unable to provide a name, please describe the individual’s physical appearance and any other potentially identifying features in as much detail as possible).
4. Name(s) of individual(s) who experienced or witnessed the incident.
5. Time, date, location, and nature of the incident.
6. Any additional comments or details.

ISRE will promptly and impartially investigate the facts and circumstances of any claim of inappropriate conduct or harassment in violation of the ISRE Code of Conduct. ISRE will make every effort to keep the reporting individual’s concerns confidential and will not deliberately share personal information, other than as necessary to carry out the purpose of investigation. While complete confidentiality cannot be guaranteed, ISRE will keep the investigation and its findings as confidential as possible for the circumstances. ISRE can only investigate situations that arise at ISRE meetings or other ISRE-sponsored events. If a meeting participant experiences inappropriate conduct or harassment at the participant’s own or another institution, at a place of work, at a research facility, or online but not via ISRE-sponsored channels, that individual should contact the appropriate person or department responsible for addressing such conduct at that particular institution, facility or medium.

This code of conduct is based on general guidance from the Societies Consortium on Sexual Harassment in STEMM (SCSH STEMM) and on the Code of Conduct of the Society for Psychological Research.