Code of Conduct for AI4OCEAN

Scientific Conference and Winter School

AI4OCEAN 2027, which includes the AI4OCEAN Scientific Conference, Winter School and I-WEBAP Workshop, are organised within the framework of the EU-funded Horizon Europe AXOLOTL Twinning project (G.A. No. 101158669).

The event organisers are the Cyprus Marine and Maritime Institute (CMMI), Université Bretagne Sud (UBS) and the Flanders Marine Institute (VLIZ) with external supporters.

The organisers are committed to providing a safe, respectful, inclusive and intellectually open environment for all participants.

The AI4OCEAN 2027 is expected to reflect and promote this spirit by encouraging open dialogue, constructive exchange and respectful collaboration among all participants.

The purpose of this Code of Conduct is to ensure that everyone can participate, exchange ideas and collaborate free from discrimination, harassment, intimidation and retaliation.

Respectful and inclusive participation

All participants, including speakers, organisers, members of the project consortium, staff, volunteers, exhibitors, sponsors, contractors and visitors, are expected to treat others with dignity and respect. Discrimination or harassment will not be tolerated.

Harassment includes, but is not limited to, unwelcome sexual attention or advances, sexual harassment, sexualised images or language, inappropriate physical contact, unwanted photography or recording, bullying, stalking, intimidation, threats, abusive or degrading language, and disruptive or exclusionary behaviour. Participants who are asked to stop behaviour that violates this Code are expected to comply immediately.

Speakers, exhibitors and organisers should ensure that presentations, demonstrations, promotional materials and online interactions are relevant, professional and free from content that could reasonably be considered discriminatory, degrading or harassing.

Research integrity, data and transparency

Participants are expected to uphold high standards of research integrity and professional conduct. Contributions must accurately represent methods, data, results, sources and contributions. Fabrication, falsification, plagiarism, misrepresentation of results and undisclosed conflicts of interest are not acceptable.

Data shared, presented or generated in connection with AI4OCEAN 2027 should be handled responsibly and in accordance with applicable law, ethical requirements, consent conditions, intellectual-property rights and relevant data-management policies. Where appropriate, participants are encouraged to follow FAIR principles, ensuring that data and related outputs are Findable, Accessible, Interoperable and Reusable, while recognising that ethical, legal, privacy, security or commercial restrictions may limit access or reuse.

Participants should be transparent about data sources, processing methods, assumptions, limitations, uncertainty, use of artificial intelligence and any restrictions on access or reuse. Confidential, personal or sensitive information must not be shared without proper authorisation. Photographs, recordings, presentations and other materials must not be captured, distributed or reused without appropriate permission.

Reporting concerns

Concerns or incidents should be reported as soon as possible to designated contact person, listed below, or to another member of the organising committee. The full list of organising committee members is available here.

Reports will be treated sensitively and, as far as possible, confidentially. No person should experience retaliation for raising a concern in good faith or assisting with its review.

The organising committee will assess reported concerns promptly and fairly, taking into account the safety and privacy of everyone involved. Where appropriate, the consortium may seek further information, involve relevant project partners, institutional or venue representatives, or refer matters to competent authorities.

Possible responses

Where a breach of this Code is established, possible responses may include a request to stop the behaviour, exclusion of the person found responsible from one or more sessions, exclusion from the entire event, removal of material from the online record of the event, referral to the person’s university or employer, and referral to law enforcement, where appropriate.

Registration fees or other event-related expenses will not be refunded as a result of action taken under this Code.

Participation in AI4OCEAN 2027 constitutes acceptance of this Code of Conduct. The event organisers reserve the right to update this Code and to take reasonable measures to protect participants and maintain a safe, respectful and scientifically responsible environment.