IAS Rules of Conduct

The IAS (International Association of Sedimentologists) is a premier, international scientific association dedicated to the publication, discussion, and interchange of research results in sedimentary geology. The purpose of the IAS Code of Conduct is to ensure that all activities sponsored by the IAS agree with the generally accepted ethics rules and the mission of IAS.

sedimentological community, IAS leaders and organisers should encourage diversity when planning and delivering all activities and functions, including but not limited to governance,editors of the society-owned journals, panels, meetings, workshops, nominations for awards, and symposia. Special care should be taken to include people from groups that continue to be under represented in the discipline, such as women, minorities, people from diverse cultures, and colleagues from low- and middle-income countries, in positions of importance and visibility. All sedimentologists of the world should have equal access and opportunity to contribute to the advancement of global sedimentology and geosciences in general. The IAS must be at the forefront of these efforts globally.

IAS-Sponsored Scientific Meetings (Regional Meetings, International Sedimentological Conferences, Summer Schools, Field Excursions, Workshops, Social Events, as well as other events with dedicated IAS support)

IAS meetings, which are open to IAS and non-IAS members including those interested in and from neighbouring disciplines, are among the most respected scientific meetings in the global field of sedimentology. IAS-sponsored meetings foster the exchange of scientific ideas through respectful and open dialogue. Together with the IAS, the meeting

organizers are committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment for all participants. All meeting participants, including but not limited to attendees, speakers, volunteers, exhibitors, staff, service providers, are expected to abide by the IAS Code of Conduct. This Code of Conduct applies to all IAS meeting-related events and social media. It should be always displayed in a prominent place to remind participants of the events and/or visitors of social media the expected rules. IAS considers the neglect of these rules as being equal to a scientific misconduct.

•Treat all participants with equal respect and consideration.

IAS Journals and Books The IAS aims to publish the highest quality research related to sedimentology and associated research fields. Central to this mission is the peer-review process,which is guided by the ethical obligations of authors and editors. Understanding these responsibilities upholds the trust of the sedimentological community, as well as the integrity of the IAS journals and books.

An author’s obligation is to present an accurate account of the research performed and an objective discussion of its significance. An author should cite publications that have been

influential in determining the outcome of the work. Confidential information such as proprietary industry data or information gained from refereeing manuscripts or grant applications cannot be used without permission of the original author. Shingling or fragmenting of research into several papers that would otherwise form a single significant paper is a form of scientific misconduct.Other breeches in publishing ethics include deliberately misrepresenting results or interpretations obtained by another scientist, fabrication and falsifying of research data, and plagiarism. Plagiarism includes copying of text, figures or tables from other published works,including your own, without adequate acknowledgements. Only individuals who have contributed significantly to the research and preparation of the work should be listed as authors.

Editors must provide an unbiased consideration to all works submitted for publication in IASjournals and books. Submitted manuscripts should be processed promptly. Editors take full responsibility for the integrity of the peer review and ensure that the process is objective, fair,thorough and confidential. Editors will also maintain reviewer confidentiality, respect the intellectual freedom and diversity of authors, and avoid conflict of interest with submitting authors. Presently, the extremely rapid dissemination of information through social media requires securing confidentiality during the editorial process in all IAS-owned journals.

Non-compliance with the IAS Code of Conduct will in the first instance be dealt with by the meeting organizers or journal Editor, and will be reported to the IAS Bureau.

IAS Bureau and Council The IAS Bureau and Council are critical to the success of the organization. The Bureau is charged with the management of the Association, calls the General Assembly and is responsible for its organization. The Council represents an international board of advisors that can and should provide (either requested or non-requested) non-binding advice to the IAS Bureau.

The IAS Bureau and Council should sustain a genuine, on-going conversation about ethics and integrity in the Bureau and in the association. In order to achieve this, the Bureau shall ensure open communication with the membership. This should result in confidence of the membership and mutual confidence within the Bureau. Diversity in the Bureau and Council should be such that members from different sub-disciplines in sedimentary research, gender, and geographical regions feel represented.

IAS Bureau and Council members are not eligible to be candidates for honours, awards, and prizes during their terms of service. Members of the Bureau must document any personal or professional relationship with candidates nominated for IAS honours, awards, and prizes. Depending on the circumstances, these individuals should then not form part of the selection committee.

Finances, though delegated to the Treasurer, are the joint responsibility of the Bureau. Consequently, financial and other reports to be discussed in Bureau meetings should be distributed according to the guidelines of the society for Bureau meetings.

Any form of misconduct not following the principles previously mentioned in this Code of Conduct may result in significant consequences including but not limited to membership revocation and exclusion from future IAS activities.