Guidelines for Participation

We are aware that trans and non-binary delegates and allies may be feeling concerned about conference attendance in current institutional contexts. We, as a conference team, want to make it clear that diversity of approach, method, and researcher ought to be a driver of this emergent field. This field, this conference, and the work that we do will always be trans-affirming.

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Respectful Communication 

• Use the names and pronouns that others have specified (if you are unsure, ask, or use “they”). 

• Be inclusive and supportive of those who are less confident or who have diverse communication styles. 

• Friendly constructive discussion is welcomed but personal insults and demeaning or argumentative comments are not acceptable. 

Equality and Diversity 

• Be respectful of people’s lived experience, identities, names and pronouns. 

• Do not place pressure on people to disclose their lived experience or make assumptions about what their lived experience might be.  

• Avoid negative comments, assumptions and stereotyping of people on the basis of their gender, gender identity, gender expression, gender reassignment, sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, nationality, class, disability, religion, beliefs, age, accent or culture. 

Permissions 

• Keep personal information shared at this event about others private and only share if they have given you permission. 

• Get permission before sharing the work of any attendee, including on personal blogs, websites and social networking sites, e.g. Facebook. 

• Ensure you have permission from everyone with their face visible in shot before taking a photograph. 

General Behaviour 

• Attendees may leave the session at any time without explanation. 

• The behaviours of others are never justification for anyone to disregard these guidelines in response. 

• Shouting, swearing, harassing, threatening or humiliating behaviour (verbal, physical or sexual) towards others is unacceptable. 

What happens if these guidelines are disregarded? 

• Please let us know as soon as possible if you experience or witness anything that makes you feel uncomfortable.. Even if you do not want anything done, please still let us know. 

Who you can talk to if you have concerns: 

In the first instance, you can talk to Carolyn Blake, one of the conference organising team who will be running the conference helpdesk. You may alternatively wish to speak to Louise Creechan, lead conference organiser and the EDI Lead for the Discovery Research Platform for Medical Humanities at Durham University (louise.creechan@durham.ac.uk). You will be able to identify our conference organising team by their brightly coloured bows, we will be able to direct you.   

Please feel able to look after yourself and your own needs during the Conference  

We hope that you will find the Conference a stimulating and rewarding experience. At the same time, we understand that participating in a 3-day academic event can often be tiring and sometimes overwhelming. We also recognise that the Conference may address topics that you might find sensitive, difficult, or emotionally challenging. We would like all attendees to feel enabled to prioritise their own wellbeing during the Conference. This might mean taking an unscheduled break during sessions, or recharging your batteries by spending some time alone during breaks or after the Conference has finished for the day.  

If you need to take a break from, or leave, a session for whatever reason, please feel free to do so. We will have the Sensory Den and dedicated ‘quieter space’ within the Palatine Centre and an additional ‘quieter space’ in the Confluence Building; the venue also has close proximity to green spaces: all conference delegates should feel able to use these spaces as and when they need them. 

All conference presentations will be recorded and made available for a limited time on a password protected section of our conference website, so you can catch up later if you miss a session.