During the plenary of the 2024 Rhythm Changes conference, the conference committee were made aware of instances of historical inappropriate delegate behaviour that breaks our Code of Conduct. We asked delegates to make formal complaints in relation to these events and as a committee we continue to invite delegates to provide further information and/or formal complaints.
When attending the conference, each delegate agrees to follow the Code of Conduct throughout the whole conference period (to include the more informal and social elements). Please let any of the conference committee members or session chairs aware of any individual or event that breaches the Code of Conduct.
Evidenced formal complaints will be driven through the complaints procedure of the host university.
We have also responded to the important issues raised by Stephanie Vos in her plenary regarding a focus on race (in addition to gender) and the limits of the Rhythm Changes networks for ensuring a diverse conference. Whilst this is part of an ongoing intervention for us as a conference committee, we hope that you will be able to see welcome changes when you join us in Amsterdam and at future Rhythm Changes conferences.
The Rhythm Changes Conference Committee is dedicated to supporting a safe, inclusive, and supportive academic environment for all. A central part of our regular committee meetings is dedicated to ensuring that we respond to delegate feedback and that we respond reflexively and proactively to the wider social, economic, cultural, and environmental context within which we live and work. We welcome feedback and suggestions, and each year we change our approach or implement new elements in response to these. At the 2025 conference, we will be trialling a partner system to support newcomers to the conference and introducing a Chair Briefing Document to ensure that Code infringements are addressed in the moment where possible and safe to do so.
The safety and inclusive of our delegates is an ongoing concern for us as a committee, and we are actively building on good practice which is emerging from similar conversations and activities across academia and industry. We do not take our responsibility as committee members lightly, and we ask that every delegate also reads and follows the Code of Conduct to ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for all.