The Rhythm Changes conference committee aims to create a safe, inclusive, and welcoming environment for sharing research, making connections, and developing a community. Various structural barriers impact upon individual participation in academia and in scholarly conferences. This Code of Conduct aims to support us in actively challenging these barriers and supporting our attendees.[1]
We would ask that all attendees carefully read this Code of Conduct and adhere to it at all times – during social hours and in panels, discussions, and keynotes.
We welcome all delegates, particularly those from underrepresented groups within academia generally and jazz studies more specifically. We ask that all delegates be aware of their privileges and give space to those whose voices are typically marginalized in academic discussions. For example, at conferences men tend to ask more questions and speak longer than women and gender nonconforming attendees[2]. To address this, all chairs have been asked to take the first question following a paper from a woman or gender nonconforming person where possible. Equally, we ask that all preferred pronouns are respected by panel chairs and attendees. These may be available in speaker bios in the Conference Book or made available by the speakers, where appropriate.
We will not tolerate discrimination (inclusive of, but not limited to, racism, sexism, homophobia, transphobia, and ableism). We ask that all speakers consider the content of their papers and choose their wording and framing carefully. Equally, we ask that questions are clearly communicated, taking into consideration language differences, and aim to support research and researcher development. We encourage understanding and kindness when mistakes are made and corrected.
We will not tolerate bullying or disrespectful behavior. This is a supportive and analytical space. It is not competitive. Mindful of the ongoing difficulties experienced by many in this time of conflict, economic insecurity, climate crisis, and political changes – and the continued disruption and precarity within academia itself – we ask that attendees exercise kindness, generosity, and respect in all their engagements at Rhythm Changes.
We will not tolerate harassment of any kind, particularly sexual harassment. Please report anything that makes you feel uncomfortable to a member of the conference committee you feel able to approach, no matter how small. We stand with victims of abuse and endeavour to create a space where the safety of our attendees is a priority. We ask that you watch out for each other and report any issues to the conference committee. Reporting will be kept confidential.
We encourage kindness and generosity in all interactions, particularly when making doctoral students and emerging scholars feel welcome. We are aware that Rhythm Changes 2025 may be your first in-person conference, and we want this to be a positive and constructive experience. For all those that have been before, we are excited to be able to welcome you back to Amsterdam and look forward to building a collaborative, research-focused environment together.
By attending the conference, you agree to uphold these principles to the best of your ability and throughout the whole conference period (to include the more informal and social elements).
If you feel that this Code of Conduct has been broken, please report it to the conference committee. Reporting will be kept confidential, and the conference committee will channel complaints through the relevant procedures of the host institution to address improper behaviour.
For our response to issues raised in Graz 2024, please see here.
[1] This code of conduct is based on recommendations from the REACH Inclusive Conference Guide and draws from the Internet Musicking Code of Conduct (with thanks to Jason Ng, Raquel Campos Valverde, and Steve Gamble) and the code of behavior for the Heavy Metal and Global Premodernity conference.
[2] Alecia 1. Carter et al., ‘Women’s Visibility in Academic Seminars: Women Ask Fewer Questions than Men’, PLOS ONE 13, no. 9 (27 September 2018): e0202743, doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0202743; Amy Hinsley, William J. Sutherland, and Alison Johnston, ‘Men Ask More Questions than Women at a Scientific Conference’, PLOS ONE 12, no. 10 (16 October 2017): e0185534, doi.org/10.1371/journal.ponc.0185534; Anna Lupon et al., ‘Towards Women-Inclusive Ecology: Representation, Behavior, and Perception of Women at an International Conference’, PLOS ONE 16, no. 12 (10 December 2021): e0260163, dol.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0260163; Jonathan Pritchard et al., ‘Asking Gender Questions’, Astronomy & Geophysics 55, no. 6 (1 December 2014): 6.8-6.12, dol.org/10.1093/astrogeo/atu245; Sarah J. Schmidt and James R. A. Davenport, ‘Who Asks Questions at Astronomy Meetings?’, Nature Astronomy 1, no. 6 (2 June 2017): 1–2, doi.org/10.1038/341550-017-0153; Sarah J. Schmidt et al., ‘The Role of Gender in Asking Questions at Cool Stars 18 and 19’, ArXiv:1704.05260 (Astro-Ph, Physics:Physics), 18 April 2017, dol.org/10.5281/zenodo.546881.