September 2023

Introduction

Studying at KIT equips participants with the knowledge needed to address professional challenges, and provides exposure to new experiences, concepts, information, perspectives, and a diverse cohort of fellow course participants from varied and diverse backgrounds. For some participants, studying at KIT may be the first time they have lived in a different country or encountered certain different cultural values. KIT invites all participants to step out of their ’comfort zone’ and broaden their outlook to potentially new, diverse, and nuanced perspectives and concepts they may not have encountered before.

While spending time at KIT, a curious and inquisitive mindset is encouraged, as participants are invited to share their views, values, and experiences openly and respectfully, be curious and willing to learn about new perspectives and values, and eager to commence personal and professional growth throughout the course of their studies.

KIT is dedicated to maintaining a safe and respectful environment inside and outside of the classroom. This environment requires and promotes safe, comfortable, and inspiring conditions, with healthy and stimulating interactions based on collegiality, respect, appreciation, and mutual understanding and support. Naturally, this encompasses integrous, inclusive, respectful, and appropriate daily behavior of all participants at KIT. But what is integrity? To be integrous (‘a person of integrity’) is to be honest, whole, and undivided in the self, to have strong moral and ethical principles, and to honor oneself and those around them. At KIT, we embrace these principles in our everyday conduct, striving to create a safe and inclusive environment.

This Code of Conduct (CoC) has been created to build a common understanding of what the above means in daily practice, and commitment towards its application, among all KIT course participants, as well as KIT and external staff. This CoC is meant for all participants studying at KIT, and outlines expected ‘house rules’ and related behaviors which participants are encouraged and expected to abide by. Everyone is responsible for acting with integrity and creating a safe and inclusive space at KIT.

KIT’s values and related policies

This CoC is informed by KIT’s Integrity Policy that refers to our core values and the Code of Conduct for KIT staff, and by its Diversity and Inclusion Policy.

Expected behaviour

At KIT, we require all course participants to uphold standards of conduct when interacting with each other at KIT, expecting everyone to act in a respectful and professional manner, in- and out- of classrooms, on- and off-campus, through any communications (in-person and virtual). We intend for participants to co-create enthusiastic, and engaging environments where all participants are comfortable and safe. We thus stipulate the following qualities that help create a supportive, educational environment.

• Possess intellectual curiosity and active participation in education, research, and other academic activities.We expect participants to be curious about the world, inquisitive, ask critical and probing questions, constructively challenge and critique knowledge, and be actively engaged in their studies. KIT understands these qualities asnecessary skills for a successful academic career and in society.
• Active participation in education and other activities, and enthusiastic engagement in group assignments, study tours, and social activities.
• Respect privacy and need for consent of fellow participants, academic staff, and those who are involved in academic research or activities (like key informants, research participants). This includes seeking permission and consent before sharing personal data (like email addresses, phone numbers, postal addresses, contact details, social media handles) or photos of fellow participants.

This also extends to documentation (photo, video, and audio recording) of course activities and related events, featuring participants and/or staff. Not everyone feels comfortable being included in, for example, postings on social media channels, especially in relation to classroom discussions on potentially sensitive topics or certain socialising contexts. Before posting content online, please ask permission from those involved, including fellow participants, facilitators, and others.

• No discrimination, bullying, or exclusionary behavior, online or offline. This includes discrimination, bullying, and exclusionary behavior concerning religion, beliefs, sexual orientation, biological or physical sex characteristics, gender and gender expression, race, ethnic origin, skin colour, marital or civil status, nationality, political opinions and/or political affiliation, body composition, physical or mental (dis)abilities, family situation, socio-economic or cultural background, class, accent, dress code or appearance, prior contact with criminal justice systems, and related.

• No interpersonal misconduct, online or offline. This includes sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, microaggressions, intimidation, violence, verbal and physical aggression, discrimination, bullying, emotional and physical mistreatment, or other forms of exploitation or violence.
• To hold fellow participants and staff accountable, with regard to this Code of Conduct. A culture of helping each other and holding each other accountable is important at KIT, alongside feeling safe and included. Open, transparent, respectful, and safe conversations are paramount to maintaining an inclusive learning environment. If unacceptable behavior is witnessed that compromises an individual’s physical or mental integrity, bullies, or harasses them, we encourage bystanders to intervene, only if they feel safe and comfortable doing so. Please see the section on accountability and dealing with undesirable behavior below for more information.

Accountability and Dealing with Undesirable Behavior

Holding oneself and fellow participants, as well as KIT and external staff, accountable for undesirable behavior is an important part of this CoC, and important for maintaining a safe and inclusive learning environment.

Breaching the code may concern all conduct participants engage in as part of their studies, on- and off- KIT premises, in related academic settings elsewhere (e.g., at conferences), and online (e.g., online lectures, WhatsApp groups, other digital spaces). KIT will respect and not monitor or interfere with ‘private’ spaces of participants (study-wise and other), provided these do not affect participants’ academic performance and wellbeing.

Where relevant, the CoC allows and encourages KIT staff and participants to challenge unacceptable behavior and to lodge complaints. If you have experienced any undesirable or inappropriate behavior, discrimination or related, and wish to make a complaint, we have outlined the following steps as guidance for how to proceed.

• Resolving things individually: violations of interpersonal integrity should always be raised promptly for open and transparent discussion. We encourage this through directly addressing those involved (where an individual feels safe to do so), either as oneself or as a bystander, and/or by involving third parties, such as a classmate or KIT staff. This aims to find a resolution to situations; yet we understand this may not always be possible, or you may not feel able, comfortable, or safe to address inappropriate behavior, and may want to seek additional support to deal with undesirable situations.
• Approaching academic advisors and programme coordinators for support: for matters that cannot be resolved individually, we encourage you to contact your/an academic advisor or a course coordinator. Academic advisors and program coordinators can be contacted for further advice on dealing with undesirable behavior. Academic advisors are assigned to all participants during the first weeks of the Master’s programme and other long courses; their names and contact details, and those of the course coordinators, are communicated in the study guide and/or via Virtual Grounds.
• Formally reporting an incident to the KIT Master’s Programme Director: these can be done by e-mail (to h.ormel@kit.nl). They will be dealt with discretely and confidentially. In severe cases and cases involving KIT staff, the protocol as outlined in the KIT Integrity Policy (Code of Conduct section), referred to above, may be invoked.
• Reporting specific incidents to the KIT confidential advisors: for specific cases of undesirable behavior like discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying, or associated situations or behaviors, participants can contact one of the KIT confidential advisor as a first step. The confidential advisor offers a neutral and safe space, and guidance. They will not take any action on your behalf unless you make a specific request and give them your permission. The confidential advisors:
  • Are a first point of contact, offer support to participants coming to them, and offer assistance to get further help or support if needed. They provide follow-up and support to you during a complaint procedure.
  • Advise you if you consider making a written complaint, a complaint to the Director of KIT, or filing a legal complaint with the police.
  • Represent you (if requested) in developing a solution to the problem.
  • Can make official requests for mediators, should they judge it to be necessary. They then support you in the process of submitting and dealing with the complaint through a mediator.

Please refer to the Master’s programme study guide for more information and names and contact details of the KIT confidential advisors (section on Complaints procedure).

• For serious matters involving, e.g., physical or sexual abuse or emergency situations, external channels including police, doctors, or other social support systems are available in parallel to the options above. Ask for guidance if needed.

Consequences of Inappropriate Behavior

All participants at KIT are expected to abide by this CoC, and violations that are reported to KIT are taken seriously. Consequences (sanctions), if any, may vary and cannot be detailed a priori.

External Help, Support, and Resources

For additional support, the Help, Support and Advice page of the VU Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam lists multiple resources for a variety of different situations; this includes access to VU Confidential Counsellors.

KIT provides an overview of external mental health support services on Virtual Grounds.