DC2026 SAFETY PLAN & Code of Conduct

Our Commitment

The 18th International Symposium on Dendritic Cells (DC2026) brings together a global scientific community and is committed to providing a safe, respectful, professional, accessible, and welcoming environment for all participants. A fundamental premise of DC2026 is that all individuals presenting, attending, or otherwise participating in the conference will engage with one another in a professional, collegial, and respectful manner that fosters open scientific exchange and collaboration.

This DC2026 Safety Plan and Code of Conduct applies to all conference participants, including speakers, attendees, organizers, sponsors, exhibitors, staff, trainees, and guests, and covers all conference-related activities, whether in person, online, or at affiliated social events.

Non-Discrimination and Inclusion

DC2026 does not tolerate discrimination, harassment, intimidation, or other unprofessional conduct that interferes with a safe and respectful scientific environment. All participants are expected to treat others with dignity and respect, regardless of:

  • Race or ethnicity

  • Color

  • Nationality or country of origin

  • Religion or belief

  • Sex

  • Gender, gender identity, or gender expression

  • Sexual orientation

  • Age

  • Disability

  • Marital status

  • Military or veteran status

  • Career stage or institutional affiliation

Expected Conduct

All participants are expected to:

  • Conduct themselves in a professional, respectful, and collegial manner

  • Engage in constructive scientific dialogue and debate

  • Respect differing viewpoints, backgrounds, and experiences

  • Comply with all conference policies and applicable laws

Unacceptable Conduct

Unacceptable behavior includes, but is not limited to:

  • Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form

  • Unwelcome physical contact or sexual attention

  • Abusive, derogatory, or demeaning language or behavior

  • Threats of physical, professional, or reputational harm

  • Stalking, following, or deliberate intimidation

  • Retaliation against any individual for reporting a concern or participating in the review of a reported concern

  • Disruption of scientific sessions or conference activities

  • Inappropriate use of sexually explicit images, language, or materials in presentations or conference activities

  • Photographing, recording, or distributing scientific presentations, posters, discussions, or other unpublished scientific content without the explicit permission of the individual(s) involved

  • Misuse of conference credentials or access

  • Intoxication or illegal substance use during conference activities

Photography and Recording ‍

To protect unpublished data and encourage open scientific exchange:

  • Photography or recording (audio or video) of scientific sessions or posters is not permitted without explicit permission from the presenter.

  • Official conference photography may occur during DC2026 activities.

  • By registering for DC2026, participants consent to the use of official photographs for conference-related communications.

Reporting Concerns

Participants who experience or witness behavior that violates this DC2026 Safety Plan and Code of Conduct are encouraged to report it promptly. Reports can be made privately to:

  • Any member of the DC2026 Organizing Committee.

  • ASN Events conference staff, who will facilitate private reporting and connect participants with members of the Organizing Committee.

Participants may report concerns at any time during the conference in person or by email to any member of the Organizing Committee or ASN Events staff. Additional reporting options, if available, will be described in the conference materials and at the registration desk. Participants who are unsure whom to contact may seek assistance from ASN Events staff at the registration desk, who will facilitate reporting to the Organizing Committee and, upon request, arrange a private meeting space for discussions.

Reports may be made by an individual experiencing the behavior or by anyone who witnesses conduct inconsistent with this DC2026 Safety Plan and Code of Conduct. ‍

All reports will be taken seriously and reviewed promptly. Information will be handled with discretion and shared only with those who need it to assess and respond appropriately to the reported concern. The Organizing Committee will make every reasonable effort to protect the privacy of individuals involved, consistent with applicable law and conference responsibilities.

Emergency situations. If there is an immediate threat to personal safety or a medical emergency, participants should first contact local emergency services and/or venue security, and then notify the DC2026 Organizing Committee as soon as practicable.

Review of Reported Concerns

The DC2026 Organizing Committee is responsible for implementing this DC2026 Safety Plan and Code of Conduct. Reported concerns will be reviewed promptly by the Organizing Committee, which will assess the information available, maintain confidentiality to the extent possible, and determine appropriate actions on a case-by-case basis.

ASN Events will assist with communication of this DC2026 Safety Plan and Code of Conduct, facilitate reporting, maintain secure documentation of reported concerns and resulting actions during the meeting, and support implementation of conference procedures. At the conclusion of the meeting, all documentation will be transferred to the Conference Chair (Dr. Juliana Idoyaga) and maintained securely.

Enforcement

The DC2026 Organizing Committee reserves the right to take appropriate action in response to violations of this policy. Responses will be determined on a case-by-case basis, will be proportional to the nature and severity of the reported conduct, and will be implemented at the discretion of the Organizing Committee. Actions may include:

  • Verbal or written warnings

  • Removal from conference sessions or events without refund

  • Revocation of conference credentials

  • Exclusion from future DC Symposia

Additional Reporting Resources

Individuals who have questions, concerns, or complaints related to harassment or discrimination are also encouraged to contact the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office for Civil Rights (HHS OCR), in addition to the DC2026 Organizing Committee. A civil rights complaint may be filed with HHS OCR online, by mail, or by phone. Instructions are available at:

https://www.hhs.gov/civil-rights/filing-a-complaint/index.html

Participants may also notify the National Institutes of Health (NIH) about concerns related to harassment, discrimination, or other inappropriate conduct at NIH-supported conferences. Information is available through the NIH Find Help webpage:

https://grants.nih.gov/grants/policy/harassment/find-help.htm

Filing a report with the DC2026 Organizing Committee is not required before filing a complaint of discrimination with HHS OCR, and seeking assistance from the DC2026 Organizing Committee in no way prohibits individuals from filing a complaint with HHS OCR or notifying NIH directly.

Communication of this Safety Plan

This DC2026 Safety Plan and Code of Conduct will be posted on the DC2026 conference website and distributed electronically to all registered participants before the conference. During the opening session, the Conference Chair will review the key elements of the Safety Plan and Code of Conduct, including expectations for professional conduct and available reporting procedures. Information regarding reporting procedures will also be available through conference materials and at the registration desk throughout the meeting.

Shared Responsibility

By participating in DC2026, all attendees agree to abide by this Safety Plan and Code of Conduct and to contribute to a respectful, inclusive, and scientifically vibrant meeting environment.

We thank you for helping us make DC2026 a welcoming, respectful, inclusive, and inspiring meeting for the entire Dendritic Cell Community. Together, we can foster an environment where all participants feel safe to exchange ideas, establish collaborations, and advance immunological research.

Download Safety Plan & Code of Conduct