General safer space guidelines for academic conferences
Guidelines to create a safe for different conference environments
We are here for academic discussion, learning and supporting one another. In reflecting upon our colleagues’ work, let’s be constructive and respectful, thus contributing to a positive, encouraging, and safer atmosphere. This same safer, positive, and colloquial atmosphere should be maintained also outside the events, and each participant’s autonomy, privacy, and personality should be equally respected.
Uniarts Helsinki is committed to promoting equity, equality, and anti-racism. Please bear this in mind when asking questions and giving comments. Harassment, misogyny, sexism, racism, ableism, homo- and transphobia, body shaming, ageism, or other forms of discrimination are not acceptable, and we will do our best to point out and react to harmful behaviour.
Let’s respect everyone’s physical and emotional boundaries, privacy, and pronouns. Let’s not make unnecessary assumptions of anyone’s gender, sexual orientation, nationality, religion, socioeconomic background, or any other personal matters
Let’s all remember to critically reflect upon our own privileges and take this into account when participating in the discussions. This means listening to others, respecting everyone’s research topics and experiences, and recognising the boundaries of our knowledge, particularly in areas that are not our expertise or in case of sensitive topics. We also encourage everyone to be aware of the space we are used to taking in social situations, especially in terms of giving space to other voices than our own
We are all constantly learning to become better and more empathic human beings, and we all sometimes make mistakes. When given critical feedback for problematic behaviour or harmful comments, we kindly ask everyone to take a moment to reflect upon the feedback and what could be learnt from it.
We organisers value highly your feedback on how we could do better in the future – please do not hesitate to contact us with your comments and questions. A specific online form for giving anonymous feedback will be available after the event
If you encounter problematic behaviour, please do not hesitate to contact – face to face or via e-mail (johanna.rauhaniemi@uniarts.fi) or in the Zoom chat, either during or after the event.
These guidelines have been modelled after safer space policies created by the Feminist Culture House, The Museum of Impossible Forms, the UN association of Finland, and the Academy of Fine Arts’ students of the University of the Arts Helsinki, among others.