The International Conference on Mercury as a Global Pollutant (ICMGP) is a conference open to all people interested in the science and management of mercury in the environment. The overall goal for the ICMGP is to provide a venue and platform for an open exchange of findings, ideas, and understanding of all aspects of mercury science and its management. Delegates of ICMGP 2017 are expected to exhibit the highest standards of integrity and professionalism. Each delegate participating in ICMGP meetings and activities are bound by this Code* and should:

  • Conduct themselves responsibly, objectively, lawfully, and in a civil and non-discriminatory manner.

  • Ensure that presentations during the ICMGP are restricted to, and based on, scientific principles and made in a respectful manner.

  • Respect the rights, interests, and contributions of professional colleagues.

  • Respect intellectual property and provide appropriate attribution to sources of all intellectual property.

  • Declare and avoid conflicts of interest (professional, personal, financial).

  • Not knowingly make false or misleading statement(s), or engage in activities that could be viewed as defamatory to a professional colleague or an organization.

  • Recognize and respect confidentiality while being honest and forthcoming in all issues of public record.

  • Objectively and clearly communicate scientific methods, understanding and knowledge in a professional manner.

The ICMGP is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all meeting participants. All participants including, but not limited to, attendees, speakers, poster presenters, volunteers, exhibitors, service providers, and others are expected to abide by the ICMGP’s Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to all ICMGP meeting-related events including those sponsored by organizations other than the ICMGP, but held in conjunction with ICMGP events, in public or private facilities.

Unacceptable Behavior includes, but is not limited to:

  • Harassment, intimidation or discrimination in any form.

  • Physical or verbal abuse of any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, staff member, service provider, or other meeting guest.

  • Recording or taking photography of another individual’s presentation without the explicit permission.

  • Disruption of presentations at oral or poster sessions or workshops, in the exhibit hall or at other events organized by the ICMGP at the meeting venue, hotels, or other contracted facilities.

  • Verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, national origin, etc.

  • Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations.

Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. The ICMGP Executive Committee, staff, or security may take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from the meeting without warning or refund.

If you are the subject of unacceptable behavior or have witnessed any such behavior, please immediately notify a member of the Executive or Scientific Steering Committees of the ICMGP or a Conference Staff member. Notification should be done on-site by contacting an ICMGP Executive or Scientific Steering Committee member. Alternatively, you can email your concern(s) to the Conference Secretariat at Mercury2017@agendamanagers.com. Anyone experiencing or witnessing behavior that constitutes an immediate or serious threat to public safety at the ICMGP at the Rhode Island Convention Center is advised to locate a house phone and ask for security.

*Adapted from the Society of Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry Code of Ethics and the Code of Conduct for meetings of the Ecological Society of America.