NITMB Code of Conduct

The NITMB:

Values diversity and champions the fundamental principle of treating others with respect.
Is committed to providing a safe research and work environment in which discrimination, harassment, stalking, bullying, hazing, and other abuse or acts or threats of violence are not tolerated.
Expects its members, associates, and visitors to treat each other and those with whom they engage or collaborate on behalf of the NITMB with respect, honesty, integrity, and civility, and avoid conduct that is unwelcome, offensive, obscene or disorderly.
Further expects its members to conduct their research, academic, and all other NITMB activities in accordance with the highest scientific, professional, and ethical standards.

A copy of this Code will be provided to all visitors to the NITMB.

Expectations for a Safe and Inclusive Work Environment:

The NITMB is physically located in Chicago, in proximity to Northwestern’s Streeterville campus, and University of Chicago’s campus. In addition to supporting research at the two universities, NITMB will host multiple convening activities each year, with hundreds of visitors per year from institutions around the world staying with us for days up to weeks.

It is the responsibility of all NITMB leaders, participating institutions, and their respective faculty, staff, postdoctoral fellows and scholars, students, visitors, and all others who are, in each case, funded by, working with, visiting, or participating in an event organized by, the NITMB (hereinafter referred to as NITMB “members and associates”) to foster a safe, inclusive, and harassment-free working environment for the NITMB.

As part of this responsibility, NITMB is providing this Code to visitors to document expectations for adherence to the following standards.

All NITMB members and associates must comply with policies, conduct standards, and health and safety guidelines applicable to work done as part of NITMB (including, without limitation, policies prohibiting discrimination, harassment and sexual misconduct), as well as the applicable policies and funding terms of the National Science Foundation and Simons Foundation, NITMB’s funding sponsors, and all applicable laws and regulations. NITMB visitors who do not have policies analogous to those listed below, are obligated to familiarize themselves and comply with Northwestern’s University’s policies while they are visiting or participating in NITMB-organized activities.

Northwestern Policies/Resources:

Third parties who have not completed similar training at their home institution shall be referred to the City of Chicago’s Sexual Harassment Training module. Visitors who may receive a visiting appointment with Northwestern, will be required to adhere to Northwestern’s Research Visitors policy.

Reporting Responsibilities & Procedures:

Concerns about misconduct or other inappropriate behavior should be reported to NITMB leadership or a central office within Northwestern, including University Compliance (university.compliance@northwestern.edu).

To NITMB leadership:

Richard Carthew, Northwestern, Director
William Kath, Northwestern, Deputy Director for Broader Impacts
Antonio Auffinger, Northwestern, Associate Director of Convening Activities

Potential policy violations will be referred to the relevant central office for any required follow up.

Northwestern reporting channels include:

Discrimination or Harassment, Sexual Misconduct, Research Integrity

Any concern can be submitted through Northwestern’s hotline, and can be anonymous:

EthicsPoint | phone: 866-294-3545

Potential policy violations will be referred to the appropriate Northwestern office for any required investigation or other appropriate follow-up. If/when required, concerns will be reported to the National Science Foundation and the Simons Foundation, NITMB’s funding sponsors.

Retaliation: The NITMB prohibits retaliation against any person for making a report in good faith or cooperating in an investigation. Individuals who take retaliatory action may be subject to corrective action up by their home institution.

Conduct of NITMB Operations and Activities

NITMB members and associates will demonstrate good stewardship and integrity while carrying out the operations and activities of the center. Nothing in the sections below are intended to supersede the applicable policies and funding terms of the National Science Foundation and the Simons Foundation, NITMB’s funding sponsors, or other relevant or more stringent policies of Northwestern or a member or associate’s home institution with which they may be obligated to comply, but are included as reminders of NITMB’s commitment to the highest professional and ethical standards.

Conflict of Interest or Commitment: The NITMB understands that its members and associates may have been or may be involved in outside financial, business, professional, academic, public service, or other activities. NITMB members and associates must avoid allowing outside activities or commitments, familial or other relationships, private financial or other interests, to compromise or appear to compromise their NITMB research, work, decision-making, or obligations, including purchasing decisions or vendor selection.

Use of NITMB Resources: All NITMB members and associates are responsible for preventing the misuse of NITMB resources, property, and other assets, including but not limited to, funds, information, intellectual property, facilities, equipment, networks, software, etc. NITMB resources are reserved for NITMB purposes and may only be used for lawful and authorized purposes. NITMB systems such as computers and e-mail may be used for reasonable and incidental personal use.

Confidentiality and Privacy: Each NITMB member and associate will keep confidential any unpublished research or results shared with them by other NITMB members they have not been authorized to share, and will work to prevent misuse or unauthorized disclosure.

Violations:

Every NITMB member and associate is responsible for complying with these principles and for taking appropriate action to report and/or address observed misconduct. Members and associates who fail to comply with these principles, including failing to report misconduct in accordance with relevant policies, may be subject to corrective action by their home institution. NITMB leadership reserves the right to remove a visitor from NITMB-organized events or activities in the event of behavior that violates these expectations for a safe and inclusive work environment.