Code of Conduct
The RDA is a thriving global community celebrating diverse individuals, institutes, government bodies, and organizations that bring valuable expertise, perspectives, and experiences. Our community flourishes through the rich exchange of cultures and ideas, creating an environment where innovation and collaboration can thrive.
To foster this welcoming and inclusive environment, we’ve established this Code of Conduct as a positive framework for community interactions. This code reflects our shared values and commitment to respecting each member’s contributions while creating a space where everyone can participate fully and comfortably.
This Code of Conduct represents our ongoing commitment to collaboratively building an ever more welcoming and inclusive RDA community. The code evolves with us and will be reviewed regularly by the Council based on feedback from our community members.
Cultivating Professional Excellence
Your contributions to the RDA enrich our organization and are deeply valued by the community. Together, the RDA encourages an environment where everyone feels appreciated by treating each other with respect, professionalism, and courtesy. As members of this vibrant community, you embrace the RDA’s Guiding Principles that you agreed upon when joining.
Community Content Standards
To maintain our positive and productive environment, we encourage all members to share content that:
- Respects intellectual property with proper attribution;
- Uplifts and supports fellow community members;
- Promotes constructive dialogue and peaceful resolution;
- Embraces diversity and inclusivity;
- Adheres to legal and ethical standards;
- Uses language that is professional and respectful;
- Protects the privacy and personal information of others;
- Focuses on our shared research data mission;
- Represents authentic perspectives and contributions.
Behaviours we do not tolerate
Whilst we emphasise positive interactions, we must be clear about behaviours that have no place within our community. The RDA does not tolerate:
- Copyright infringement, including insufficient attribution of others’ work;
- Defamatory, abusive or threatening communications toward any individual or group;
- Language or content that incites violence or promotes harm;
- Discriminatory statements, including those that are bigoted, hateful or racially offensive;
- Activities that violate applicable laws or discussions encouraging such violations;
- Vulgar, obscene or indecent language or imagery inappropriate for a professional setting;
- Unauthorised disclosure of personal information (sometimes called “doxxing”);
- Commercial solicitations unrelated to our mission and purpose;
- Misrepresentation or creation of fictitious identities or viewpoints;
- Any form of harassment related to gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, ethnicity, age or religion;
- Retaliation against those who report concerns or violations of this code.
These standards apply across all RDA venues, including meetings, conferences, workshops, social events, online platforms and associated social media. We uphold these standards at all meetings, conferences, workshops, social events, on official RDA online platforms, and when using associated social media identifiers of RDA, e.g., #RDAPlenary, @resdatall.
Creating an inclusive environment
We are committed to creating spaces free from unwelcome behaviour related to gender, gender identity and expression, age, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, colour, race, ethnicity, or religion. We value everyone’s right to participate in discussions and events without concern for unwanted attention or discomfort.
RDA Guidance on AI Tool Usage
This Artificial Intelligence (AI) Tool Usage Guidance provides provides constructive guidelines and best practices for the use of AI tools during RDA activities, including meetings and events.
Supporting Community Standards
Our community thrives when we uphold our shared values together. If you observe behaviour inconsistent with this Code of Conduct, we encourage you to report it through one of these supportive channels:
- Contact the RDA Secretary General, Hilary Hanahoe, the policy officer for the Research Data Alliance. You can speak to Hilary in person at any RDA Plenary, or email Hilary at hilary.hanahoe[at]rda-foundation.org.
- Email [email protected]. Emails to this address are visible to two members of the RDA Secretariat: Hilary Hanahoe (RDA Secretary General) and Bridget Walker (RDA Operations & Accounts Manager). You can contact either of them individually via email (bridget.walker[at]rda-foundation.org and hilary.hanahoe[at]rda-foundation.org) or speak to either of them at any RDA Plenary.
- At RDA Plenaries, these members will be visually identified, e.g. by badges or ribbons, and you can also approach any member of the Secretariat, Technical Advisory Board (TAB), Council, Regional Advisory Board (RAB) or Organisational Advisory Board (OAB) to help you find either of these members.
Information that helps us respond effectively
When sharing a concern, the following information helps us address it thoroughly:
- Your contact information for any necessary follow-up
- Names of individuals involved, including any witnesses
- When and where the incident occurred, as specifically as possible
- Your account of what occurred, including any available records (e.g., mailing list archives with links or screenshots)
- Any relevant context surrounding the incident
- Whether you believe this situation is ongoing
- Any other information you think would be helpful.
Our Commitment to Resolution
After receiving your report, you’ll receive an acknowledgment email promptly. Unless the Council is involved in the incident, the Council co-chairs will thoughtfully consider the situation and determine appropriate next steps. Each case is evaluated individually, with care and consideration.
In most cases, the Council co-chairs will appoint a Mediator who will facilitate resolution. The Mediator will be a neutral party without connections to those involved and will proceed with fairness and impartiality. For any ongoing situations or those involving safety concerns, our immediate priority will be to ensure everyone’s well being before proceeding with formal responses.
Addressing Serious Incidents
In cases involving potential criminal activity, with your consent, we will contact local law enforcement while immediately notifying the RDA Council Co-chairs and local hosts. Throughout this process, you’ll receive appropriate support.
After sharing a Breach
Within one week, you’ll receive information about the resolution or an explanation about the ongoing process. We value your feedback on the decision, which may be considered in the final outcome. All reports are documented confidentially to identify any patterns that might emerge over time. We maintain strict confidentiality, sharing information only with those who need to know. We stand firmly against any form of retaliation against anyone who reports a concern, regardless of the outcome.
This version of the RDA Code of Conduct was updated by the RDA Secretary General (Hilary Hanahoe) on 21 May 2025, AI (Claude.ai Sonnet 3.7) was used to improve the language and tone of the text and has been verified and edited to reflect the original text.
Sources of information
1 Original source and credit: http://2012.jsconf.us/#/about & The Ada Initiative. This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 Unported License.
2 Items 1-8 are drawn from https://www.americanbar.org/utility/codeofconduct.html, used with permission and modified slightly for RDA purposes.
