RETASTE: Rethink Food Resources, Losses, and Waste 6th International Conference, Rethymno, Greece, September 16-18, 2026

Code of conduct

RETASTE Conference: Code of Conduct

Our commitment

The RETASTE Conference is committed to providing a welcoming, inclusive, and harassment-free experience for all participants — regardless of gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, age, race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, career stage, or institutional affiliation.

This Code of Conduct applies to all conference spaces, both physical and virtual: sessions, workshops, poster areas, social events, technical and cultural excursions, and online platforms used for the hybrid programme.

Expected behaviour

All participants — including attendees, speakers, sponsors, volunteers, and organisers — are expected to:

  • Treat all individuals with respect, professionalism, and courtesy
  • Engage in constructive and collegial academic discourse
  • Be mindful of power dynamics, particularly between senior researchers and early-career participants
  • Respect the privacy and personal boundaries of others
  • Use welcoming and inclusive language
  • Give proper credit and attribution to the work of others
  • Follow the instructions of session chairs and event staff
  • Be considerate of shared spaces, including during excursions and social events

Unacceptable behaviour

The following behaviours are not tolerated in any conference space:

  • Harassment, intimidation, or discrimination in any form
  • Offensive verbal or written comments related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, race, ethnicity, religion, or career stage
  • Unwelcome sexual attention, inappropriate physical contact, or suggestive behaviour
  • Deliberate intimidation, stalking, or following
  • Photography or recording of individuals without their consent
  • Sustained disruption of talks, sessions, or other events
  • Retaliation against anyone who reports a concern or assists with an investigation
  • Encouraging or advocating for any of the above behaviours

Reporting

If you experience or witness a violation of this Code of Conduct, please contact the RETASTE Conduct Committee:

  • In person: Approach any member of the organising committee, identifiable by their staff badges
  • By email: info@retaste.gr
  • By phone: [to be provided to registered participants before the event]

All reports will be handled promptly, discreetly, and with respect for the privacy of all parties involved. You may report anonymously if you prefer. Reports can be made during or after the conference.

Response and enforcement

The organising committee will review all reports and may take any of the following actions:

  • A verbal or written warning to the individual concerned
  • Removal from a specific session or event
  • Expulsion from the conference without refund
  • Notification to the individual’s institution or employer
  • A ban from future RETASTE events

The severity of the response will be proportionate to the nature of the violation. The committee’s decisions are final.

Virtual participants

This Code of Conduct applies equally to participants joining remotely. Unacceptable behaviour in chat, video, or any online platform used during the conference will be addressed in the same manner as in-person conduct. Virtual participants who violate this policy may have their access revoked.

Scope

This policy applies to all RETASTE activities, including but not limited to: scientific sessions, poster sessions, workshops, the welcome reception, conference dinner, technical and cultural excursions, and any informal gatherings organised under the conference banner.

Acknowledgement

This Code of Conduct draws on established academic conference policies, including those of the Association for Computing Machinery (ACM) and the Contributor Covenant, adapted for the RETASTE conference context.