Code of Professional Conduct

The following Code of Professional Conduct is established to guide the members of The PhD Project in the pursuit of professional excellence, respect, and inclusion. This Code seeks to encourage behavior that contributes positively to the organization’s mission to increase workplace diversity by increasing the diversity of business school faculty who encourage, mentor, support, and enhance the preparation of tomorrow’s leaders, both in and out of the classroom. The PhD Project Code of Professional Conduct seeks to ensure a professional, collegial, and inclusive environment that fosters the professional exchange of ideas and the growth of underrepresented minorities in academia.

Scope of Application
This Code of Professional Conduct guides our collective behavior, setting expectations for professional excellence, respect, and inclusion at all PhD Project official functions. It applies to all participants, including but not limited to members, attendees, guests, PhD Project staff, speakers, contractors, and exhibitors.

The Code applies to all PhD Project activities, including the PhD Project Annual Conference, Doctoral Student and/or Faculty Association (DSA/FAA) conferences, Board and Partner meetings, and other PhD Project events, as well as all calls, emails, virtual conferences, sessions, and any other events or communication supported by, or done in accordance with, any PhD Project activity.

Respectful Interaction and Inclusion
Every participant is expected to uphold the spirit of The PhD Project Family, treating each other with respect and consideration to foster a collegial, inclusive, and professional environment at all PhD Project functions.

Hostile, critical, judgmental, mocking, or similarly inappropriate actions or statements based on individual characteristics are prohibited. This includes behavior or statements that target age, race, religion, ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, disability, physical appearance, body size, marital status, nationality, political affiliation, ability status, educational background, as well as any other characteristic protected by law.

Personal and Professional Integrity
Members of The PhD Project Family should act honestly, ethically, and with integrity in all dealings, refraining from academic misconduct, such as plagiarism, misrepresentation, or data fabrication.

Professional Development, Mentorship, and ‘Paying it Forward’
In the spirit of ‘paying it forward’, members should support the professional growth and development of others, particularly those from underrepresented minority groups. Senior members are encouraged to mentor junior members and students, fostering opportunities for their growth and development in alignment with our shared mission.

Contributing to Organizational Mission and Workplace Diversity
Every member of The PhD Project Family plays a crucial role in our mission to increase workplace diversity. Members are urged to contribute actively to enhancing diversity within business school faculties by advocating for inclusion and diversity within their respective institutions and broader networks.

Prohibition of Harassment, Intimidation, and Bullying                                                                                                                                                 

The PhD Project Family is a safe and respectful environment. Any form of intimidating or bullying behavior, including any form of verbal or physical abuse, threats, intimidation, and humiliation, is strictly prohibited. Importantly, questioning any person’s right to attend a PhD Project function is considered a form of verbal intimidation.

Zero Tolerance for Sexual Harassment
Our commitment to a safe and inclusive environment extends to a zero-tolerance policy for sexual harassment in any form.

Reporting Violations
Members as well as any attendee, guest, staff, or other affiliated party should promptly report any violation of this Code of Professional Conduct. Reports can be made anonymously and will be kept confidential to the extent feasible.

During an event or other activity at which the alleged violation occurred, a report may be made to a senior staff member, a PAC-15 member, or a PhD Project Board of Directors member in attendance. Otherwise, reports can be made to The PhD Project by:

• Website: https://www.lighthouse-services.com/phdproject
• Anonymous Reporting App: Keyword: phdproject
o Detailed app instructions download here

• Toll-Free Telephone:
o English-speaking USA and Canada: 833-352-8862
o Spanish-speaking USA and Canada: 800-216-1288
o Spanish-speaking Mexico: 800-681-5340
o French-speaking Canada: 855-725-0002
o Contact us if you need a toll-free # for North American callers speaking languages other than English, Spanish or French

Investigation and Sanctions
The PhD Project takes all reports of violation seriously. Upon receipt of a report, an investigation will be initiated, which may involve a third-party company. Sanctions for violation of this Code range from verbal warnings to revoking membership, depending on the severity of the violation. Any potential illegal activity will be reported to the appropriate authorities immediately. If a report is received during an event or other activity at which the violation is alleged to have occurred, The PhD Project may, prior to completion of an investigation, require the accused person to leave the event or activity. Retaliation for complaints of inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated and are subject to the same sanctions.

Together, as The PhD Project Family, we commit to abide by The PhD Project Code of Professional Conduct in our pursuit of professional excellence, fostering diversity, inclusion, equity, and belonging in all we do.