Attendance & Conduct Policy

Effective for all registered attendees, speakers, staff, sponsors, and media

The Science of Consciousness 2026 exists to advance substantive, candid, and constructive dialogue on the science of consciousness and related interdisciplinary research. Attendees include neuroscientists, clinicians, philosophers, physicists, computational researchers, and scholars from related fields — people who bring deep expertise and diverse perspectives. The quality of that dialogue depends on an environment of mutual respect, professional courtesy, and shared commitment to the mission.

This policy applies to every person present at any conference activity — sessions, receptions, social events, poster sessions, workshops, and ancillary gatherings — for the full duration of October 11–16, 2026. By registering, you agree to abide by these standards. Violations may result in immediate removal without refund and preclusion from future events.

Professional Conduct & Community Standards

The conference is a place for the exchange of hard-won expertise and genuine ideas. We expect every participant to bring their full professional self and to extend the same courtesy to others.

What We Ask of You

• Be present and engaged. Participate actively in sessions. Ask questions. Challenge ideas respectfully.
• Please communicate in a respectful, professional, and constructive way toward all attendees, speakers, staff, volunteers, and vendors.
• Be considerate of the time and attention of speakers, moderators, and fellow attendees.
• Critique ideas, not individuals. Disagreement is welcome; personal disparagement is not.
• Be mindful of your surroundings. If you observe a dangerous situation or a fellow attendee in distress, alert conference staff immediately.
• Silence or disable your mobile device before entering any session room.
• Arrive on time. Late arrivals disrupt speakers and fellow attendees; if you must arrive late, enter quietly and take the nearest available seat.
• Please respect personal boundaries and obtain clear consent before any physical contact.

Zero Tolerance: Sexual Harassment & Discrimination

The Science of Consciousness 2026 has zero tolerance for sexual harassment or discrimination on the basis of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, age, disability, or any other personal characteristic.

Sexual Harassment Includes, But Is Not Limited To

• Unwanted physical contact, touching, or proximity of a sexual or romantic nature.
• Verbal comments, jokes, innuendo, or advances of a sexual nature — whether in person, in writing, or through any medium.
• Display of sexually explicit or suggestive material, including on presentation slides or personal devices visible to others.
• Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following of another person.
• Repeatedly contacting or messaging someone after being asked to stop.
• Any conduct that creates a hostile, intimidating, or offensive environment on the basis of sex or gender.

Reporting

Anyone who experiences or witnesses sexual harassment or discrimination should report it immediately. You do not need to wait for a session to end.

• Approach any conference staff member wearing a staff badge.
• Ask any staff member to connect you with the Conference Director or designated Conduct Officer.

Reports are taken seriously, handled discreetly, and acted upon promptly. Retaliation against any person who makes a good-faith report is itself a violation of this policy and will be treated accordingly.

Questions & Audience Participation

One of the most valuable parts of any conference session is the audience Q&A. The speakers at this event have extraordinary backgrounds and unique perspectives; the goal of audience participation is to deepen the dialogue — not to extend it, redirect it, or compete with it.

Q&A Rules

• Ask a question — not a speech. State your question concisely and directly. If you cannot phrase it as a question in two sentences or fewer, continue refining it before raising your hand.
• One question per person per session. This ensures that as many attendees as possible have the opportunity to participate.
• Respect the moderator’s judgment. Moderators manage time, pacing, and the flow of discussion. Their decisions on recognizing questions, ending Q&A, and allowing follow-ups are final.

Alcohol, Wellness & Personal Conduct

Some conference events include alcohol service. The conference is not responsible for alcohol consumed offsite, but conduct that results from overconsumption — at any conference activity — remains subject to this policy.

• Drink responsibly. Intoxication is not an excuse for conduct that violates this policy — it is an aggravating factor.
• If you feel unwell, please alert a staff member. We have a dedicated first aid point of contact on-site throughout the conference.

Enforcement & Consequences

Conference staff and the designated Conduct Officer have authority to enforce this policy at all times. Enforcement is at their sole discretion and is not subject to appeal during the event.

Escalation Process

1. Staff member observes or receives a report of a potential violation.
2. Staff member notifies the Conduct Officer or Conference Director.
3. The Conduct Officer assesses the situation, speaks with relevant parties, and determines appropriate action.
4. Action is taken — ranging from a private warning to immediate removal — proportionate to the severity and nature of the violation.
5. For violations involving potential criminal conduct, conference staff will contact local law enforcement.

Possible Consequences

• Verbal or written warning.
• Removal from a specific session or event activity.
• Immediate removal from the conference without refund.
• Permanent preclusion from future The Science of Consciousness conference events.
• Referral to law enforcement where conduct may constitute a criminal offense.

How to Report a Concern

You should never feel that you have to tolerate harassment, discrimination, or a safety concern in silence.

• Approach any staff member in person — at any time, in any session or common area.
• Ask any staff member to connect you privately with the Conference Director or Conduct Officer.

All reports are handled confidentially and with discretion. Your identity will not be shared with the subject of a complaint without your consent, except where required by law. Good-faith reports will not be used against the reporter under any circumstances.

Registration for The Science of Consciousness 2026 constitutes your agreement to abide by this Attendance & Conduct Policy in its entirety, for the full duration of the conference and all associated activities. This policy may be updated at any time at the discretion of conference organizers.