NASW Code of Ethics & Member Conduct

Most recent update: August 2024

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I. Code of ethics for science writers
II. Code of member conduct
II. A values statement
II.B. Application of the code
II.C. Expected behaviors
II.C.1. Additional expectations of virtual meeting attendees
II.C.2. Additional expectations of online discussion/forum participants
II.C.3. Additional expectations of in-person participants
II.D. Prohibited behaviors
II.D.1. Prohibited behaviors specific to virtual meeting attendees
II.D.2. Prohibited behaviors specific to online discussion/online forum participants
II.D.3. Additional prohibited behaviors specific to members
III. NASW operating principles
IV. Additional policies
V. Reporting a conduct or ethics concern
VI. Procedures for reviewing reported violations
VII. Consequences that may be imposed

I. Code of ethics for science writers

This code of ethics applies to members of the National Association of Science Writers, as well as anyone who applies for, receives, or participates in NASW awards, fellowships, funding, and other programs. We encourage all science writers, however, to follow the code of ethics in this Section I.

One of the principal aims of the National Association of Science Writers, according to its constitution, is to “foster the dissemination of accurate information regarding science and technology in keeping with the highest standards of journalism.” This code of ethics and member conduct is intended to guide NASW members in the pursuit of those standards.

Science writers should strive to be accurate in their professional work, including verifying the accuracy of their information and checking sources’ credentials and their potential conflicts of interest. While there are instances when anonymous sources are necessary, these should be few and carefully considered.

Science writers should refrain from discrimination based on race, color, national or ethnic origin, immigration status, sex, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, religion, age, disability, military service or veteran status, socioeconomic background or status, education, or belief. Discrimination is not acceptable under any circumstances.

Science writers' work should be their own. Plagiarism is not acceptable under any circumstances.

Science writers should support the healthy exchange of views and opinions in science but also realize when scientific principles are no longer questioned by the majority of reputable scientists involved.

Science writers should avoid any potential conflict of interest with an assignment, financial or otherwise. Conflicts that are unavoidable should be disclosed.

Science writers should immediately admit published mistakes and make every effort to correct them.

II. Code of conduct

II. A values statement

The National Association of Science Writers (NASW) is committed to equality, both in opportunity and in treatment, for all of its members. NASW will not discriminate in its activities or services on the basis of race, color, national or ethnic origin, immigration status, religion, age, marital status, parental status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, physical appearance, body size, socioeconomic background, educational background, disability, or military service or veteran status, socioeconomic background or status, education, belief, or any other individual characteristic.

NASW is committed to diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion. This commitment applies to every aspect of NASW and extends to the broader field of science writing. We believe that it is impossible to identify and communicate the full range of stories about science without incorporating the perspective of storytellers, subjects, and sources that represent the breadth of human experience. Specifically, we work to ensure that science writing in general, and NASW in particular, are welcoming and supportive of all individuals regardless of any individual characteristics listed above. We do not tolerate harassment, discrimination, or incivility.

NASW will strive to ensure that all NASW-sponsored meetings and events are conducted in a professional manner in which all participants are treated with dignity and respect. NASW will strive to go beyond legal requirements to advocate for respectful and non-discriminatory practices in all of its professional interactions.

II.B. Application of the code

The Code of Ethics and Member Conduct applies to all members of NASW, including elected officials, consultants, contractors and employees and to all participants in NASW and NASW-sponsored events. Membership or participation in NASW and its virtual and in-person meetings, conferences, and events constitutes an agreement to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Member Conduct. The Code of Ethics and Member Conduct applies to all candidates for honors and awards, including elected leadership positions. The acceptance of any honor or award or agreeing to be considered for any elected or appointed position in NASW constitutes an agreement to adhere to the Code of Ethics and Member Conduct.

These policies cover member conduct in all professional, educational and related settings and in relation to both members and non-members. These settings may include, but are not limited to:

Any professional workplace, networking event, or activity;
Conferences, meetings, discussion panels, and other activities at NASW-affiliated or sponsored meetings, in-person and virtual;
Written and verbal communications, including online discussions/forums;
Informal spaces where there are social activities with NASW members;
Informal and professional social networking sites and other online platforms both affiliated and not affiliated with NASW.

II.C. Expected behaviors

Members and participants in all professional settings, in-person and virtual, covered by the Code of Ethics and Member Conduct, SHALL:

Treat all members, participants, attendees, staff, and vendors with respect and consideration, valuing a diversity of views and opinions.
Treat others with dignity and respect, regardless of their own or another’s individual characteristics as described in our Values Statement.
Communicate openly with respect for others, discussing and debating ideas rather than individuals. Members shall avoid personal attacks directed toward other members, participants, attendees, NASW staff members, and vendors.
Demonstrate self-awareness and avoid dominating the discussion. Make space for members of historically marginalized groups when possible.
Communicate openly and thoughtfully with others, listen well to others, and be considerate of the multitude of views and opinions that are different from your own. Make room for a diversity of voices in group discussions, on panels, and the like.
Be collaborative. Be mindful not to exert dominance over others. Consider the effect of power differentials in relationships, positions, experiences; ease of communicating by video vs. audio or other means; and other factors to avoid dominance.
Follow the rules and policies of the venue and/or platform.
If any leader or facilitator of an activity/session, any official of the platform, or any event official directs you to stop a behavior or delete a comment, comply immediately. Such directions are made to implement this policy or the platform’s policies. After participants comply, they may raise any questions or concerns to an event contact.

II.C.1. Additional expectations of virtual meeting attendees

Welcome all forms of participation, regardless of whether attendees participate by video, audio, or other means. Facilitators should invite discussion but be sensitive not to pressure those who may be unable to or choose not to actively respond.
Help protect the personal privacy of individuals. If a participant’s camera view is exposing information, personal activity, household members, or other private matters and does not realize the situation, please notify the event contact(s) right away to help the person.
Display your name when logging on Zoom or other virtual platforms.

II.C.2. Additional expectations of online discussion/forum participants

Gracefully accept well-communicated constructive criticism
Refrain from doing something online that you wouldn't do in another professional situation
Sign written messages with your name.

II.C.3. Additional expectations of in-person participants

Respect the rules and policies of the meeting/event venue, in addition to NASW Code of Ethics and Member Conduct, in NASW co-sponsored meetings and events. Meeting or event attendees found to be in violation may be asked to leave the event and associated hotel accommodations without warning or refund and at cost to the attendee.
Be mindful of your surroundings and of your fellow participants during an in-person event. Call 911 or alert hotel/venue security if someone is in immediate danger or if an immediate and serious safety concern exists.

II.D. Prohibited behaviors

Prohibited behaviors, which may result in consequences when a violation of the Code of Ethics and Member Conduct is found, INCLUDE:

Behavior inconsistent with Section I, Code of Ethics for Science Writers;
Harassment in any form, including sexual harassment, denigrating jokes, stereotyping, or a recurring pattern of disrespectful behavior; Do not engage in biased, demeaning, intimidating, coercive, or harassing/hostile conduct or commentary, whether seriously or in jest (e.g., individual characteristics as described in our Values Statement).
Requesting or accepting inappropriate favors from students, employees, or colleagues.
Attempting to injure the reputation of others or professional opportunities for others by false, biased, or undocumented claims.
Verbal or written abuse or intimidation (in-person or remotely), including but not limited to: harmful or negative comments related to any individual characteristics as described in our Values Statement;
Photographing, recording, or video-taping of others and/or the dissemination or distribution of photographs, recordings and video-tapings of others without their consent;
Displaying or distributing images or recordings involving bigotry, nudity, sexual images, or gore and violence in public spaces and presentations. If such images are relevant to the technical topic in question, an audience warning must be declared;
Intentional, unwelcome physical behaviors (in-person or remotely), including but not limited to stalking, physical contact, and aggressive or intimidating displays and/or body language; physical abuse or intimidation, including disregard for another’s safety;
Threats (implied or real) of physical, emotional, professional, or financial harm, including threatening or stalking any attendee, speaker, volunteer, exhibitor, NASW staff member, service provider, or other meeting, discussion group, or forum participant;
Violating the previously communicated (verbally or nonverbally) physical, emotional, and sexual boundaries of others through the continuation of otherwise prohibited behaviors or through verbal or written comments founded on any personal aspect of another individual;
Retaliatory behavior during or after the reporting process by any individuals involved in a potential violation of the Code of Ethics and Member Conduct, including the reporting party/target/victim, witnesses, and those reported to have engaged in prohibited behavior(s), to include using the reporting process to further baseless allegations or weaponizing the process; and
Any other behaviors that may reasonably be assumed to have the effect of creating, contributing to, or maintaining an environment that is hostile or unwelcoming toward or damaging to a person or group, Including inciting, encouraging, or condoning prohibited behaviors, and creating/contributing to an unsafe or exclusionary situation.

II.D.1. Prohibited behaviors specific to virtual meeting attendees

Additional prohibited behaviors pertaining to virtual gatherings INCLUDE:

Engaging in prohibited behaviors on social media and other public and private platforms in any way associated with an NASW event or program.
Commenting on personal appearance or reasons why another person chooses to participate via video, audio, or other means—seriously or in jest.
Disrupting the event (e.g., “zoom-bombing” or sustained or disrespectful disruption of presentations)
Making audio or visual recordings of the virtual event in any medium and distributing audio or visual recordings of the virtual event (via social media or any other means). Screenshots of presentation slides or presenters are acceptable unless the presenter notes otherwise. Screenshots of attendees or audience members are not allowed without stated consent from each individual pictured. Only the National Association of Science Writers or its designees may do so.

II.D.2. Prohibited behaviors specific to online discussion/online forum participants

Out of respect for all participants’ time and attention, refrain from posting about topics unrelated to science writing, posting redundant information, posting excessively, or writing excessively long posts. Consider searching a group’s archives to see if a topic has been discussed before.

With a few exceptions noted in the particular forum, presentations, postings, and messages which contain promotional materials, special offers, job offers, product announcements, or a solicitation for services that have not been expressly approved through a partnership agreement are prohibited from NASW’s online discussion groups and forums.

II.D.3. Additional prohibited behaviors specific to members

Unless authorized by the NASW Board of Directors, members:

may not use NASW’s name in connection with any personal fundraising activities.
may not identify themselves as members of the organization in connection with any writing that takes a political position, endorses a candidate, supports specific legislation, or is related to fundraising activities or the promotion of a product, policy, or company or other organization.
may not speak for the organization .

III. NASW operating principles

NASW generally does not take political positions, endorse candidates, or allow the use of its name in connection with any political events. NASW officers and members may not invoke NASW’s name, or their membership, in the course of personal political activities.
NASW may, however, take a position on issues related to journalism, freedom of information, and other public policy debates that relate to members’ ability to act in keeping with the highest standards of journalism. Such actions will be determined by the Board of Directors.
NASW may undertake fundraising activities and partnerships with the permission of the Board of Directors.
NASW may not accept funding from organizations or individuals whose aims might conflict with NASW’s aims. The Board of Directors or its staff designees have authority to review and determine these conflicts.
Any disputes that arise concerning these Operating Principles will be resolved by the process set forth by the NASW Whistleblower Policy (bylaw Article VII, Section 4, part C)

IV. Additional policies

Violation of the following NASW policies may also potentially violate NASW’s Code of Ethics and Member Conduct. For full text of these policies and information on reporting a whistleblower, antitrust, or conflict of interest concern, visit nasw.org/otherpolicies.

Whistleblower policy: Covers what to do in the case of any suspected fraudulent or dishonest use or misuse of the Association’s resources or property by staff, officers, board members, consultants, or volunteers. Also covers protections for whistleblowers and prohibits retaliation against whistleblowers.

Antitrust policy: This policy applies to all NASW members, directors, committee members, officers, employees and agents. It applies to all NASW activities, events, programs and communications, including emails, listservs and other electronic communications. Specifically prohibits members, who would otherwise be business competitors, from agreeing on prices or terms of sale; to allocate customers, territories, or markets; not to compete (e.g., bid-rigging); to boycott suppliers or customers for anti-competitive ends; (v) on levels of production or service; or any other matter which is inconsistent with the proposition that each corporation/individual must exercise its independent business judgment in pricing its services or products, dealing with its customers and suppliers and choosing the markets in which it will compete. NASW members are always free to accept any assignment at any rate they choose.

Conflicts of interest policy: Applies to board members and staff

Honors and awards policy

V. Reporting a conduct or ethics concern

For information on reporting a whistleblower, antitrust, or conflict of interest concern, visit nasw.org/otherpolicies.

Any NASW member or anyone participating in an NASW sponsored event can report harmful behavior or a potential violation of this code using this form.

When responding to a report, NASW will prioritize respecting each person’s safety and confidentiality while also protecting the NASW environment. NASW Board Members or the official designated by NASW will offer confidential reporting to NASW participants who feel uncomfortable making an internal complaint. The reporting party’s identity will be kept confidential if they so wish, until and unless there comes a time that disclosure is needed to address the problem, and they agree to the disclosure of their identity.

There is no absolute deadline or statute of limitations for reporting potential violations to NASW. Reporting parties are encouraged to come forward at any time so that any harm to reporting parties may be addressed and that a safe and inclusive environment for all members can be maintained.

NASW will ensure the timely investigation of reported allegations. A report initiated in writing to NASW, either to a NASW Board Member or an official designated by NASW, will be acknowledged and reviewed in a timely manner. At the reporting party’s request and if appropriate, the NASW Board of Directors will initiate a preliminary investigation via the NASW Ethics Committee, Meeting Conduct Response Team, or an official designated by NASW, who will consider any conflicts of interest and agrees to keep the identity of the parties (if known) confidential.

The NASW Board of Directors will issue a determination with consequences for any member found to have violated the Code and will notify all parties in writing of the outcome, working with the NASW Ethics Committee or Meeting Conduct Response Team if necessary to preserve the reporting party’s identity.

VI. Procedures for reviewing reported violations

Reports associated with Conferences and Events:

The Meeting Conduct Response Team (MCRT) for virtual and in-person Science Writers conferences will consist of a group of current NASW Board members and, optionally, trained volunteers who will receive and process meeting conduct reports, which can be filed via the online conducting reporting form. Volunteers can include any NASW members in good standing.

The MCRT is in charge of handling Meeting Conduct Reports. It is the MCRT’s responsibility to ensure all reports are handled in a timely and professional manner, including maintaining confidentiality or anonymity as appropriate. Decisions on consequences and any enforcement are the responsibility of the NASW board.

Reports not associated with Conferences or Events:

The NASW Ethics Committee will be charged with reviewing member complaints reports not associated with meetings or events. Decisions on consequences and any enforcement are the responsibility of the NASW board.

VII. Consequences that may be imposed

Anyone requested to stop unacceptable behavior is expected to comply immediately. After participants comply, they may raise any questions or concerns to an event contact.

NASW officials, including the Board of Directors or its designees, may take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal of participants from the in-person or virtual event.

If the NASW Board of Directors or its designee(s) determines a violation of this policy during an in-person event, the NASW Board of Directors or its designee(s) may, upon notice require an accused participant to leave an event at the participant’s own cost and to maintain distance and separation from other participants at all event sites, or to leave any or all sites associated with the event during the general timeframe of the event. If the NASW Board or its designee(s) determines a violation of this policy during a virtual event, the NASW Board of Directors or its designee(s) may, upon notice, disconnect the participant (or compel disconnection), at the participant’s own cost, if any.

The NASW Board of Directors or its designee(s) may exercise the same discretion and impose any of the above-listed consequences on an accused participant prior to determining whether a violation occurred, if the NASW Board of Directors or its designee(s) decides, in their sole discretion based on those facts known, that a credible assertion that a violation exists and such action is needed in short order to avoid disruption or to advance inclusion or safety at the event. Other/additional consequences for violation of the policy, to be determined after the event, may include, without limitation, being banned or suspended from participation in events or meetings in the future. While consequences of this policy are separate from the Membership Sanctions outlined in NASW’s bylaws, the conduct of any NASW member with regard to actions contrary to this policy may, per the bylaws, be considered substantially prejudicial to the best interests of NASW and subjected to the complaint process outlined in the bylaws.

The NASW Board Directors or its designee(s) will make the determination, in their sole discretion, to serve the best interests of NASW’s membership and mission as reflected in this policy.

An appeal of a decision on whether a violation of this policy occurred, or regarding the consequences imposed, may be pursued by a participant after the event. An appeal is available only due to newly surfaced, consequential facts that were not previously available when the decision was made; consequences grossly disproportionate (in leniency or stringency) to the violation found, considering how similar situations were handled, if any, under current NASW policies (i.e., not under prior policies); lack of facts to support the decision; a conflict of interest by a decision-maker; or a failure to fulfill process requirements with consequential effects on the appealing person’s ability to address important considerations.

However, the only remedy for an accused participant’s successful appeal of a requirement to leave an event is a refund of the event’s registration fee, if applicable.