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Code of Conduct

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ATS Commitment to Professionalism and Ethical Conduct


ATS conferences provide an ideal opportunity for clinicians and researchers to come together to learn about and discuss the latest advances in treatment and care. ATS is committed to providing a friendly, safe and welcoming environment for all, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, race, ethnicity, religion, national origin, or other protected characteristics. We expect all attendees, media, speakers, volunteers, organizers, venue staff, and exhibitors to help us ensure a safe and positive conference experience for everyone.


ATS Standards of Professionalism and Ethical Conduct


 Adhere to professional codes of ethics

 Be considerate and respectful

 Respect confidential information where designated or commonly expected

 Adhere to ethical principles in research

 Refrain from sexual harassment or harassment based on race, religion, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, or other protected characteristics

 Fully disclose and manage in a manner consistent with ATS policies any professional relationship, action, or other circumstance that may result in a conflict of interest.


ATS Codes of Conduct


Promptly Report Inappropriate Behavior



ATS Code of Conduct for Live and Virtual Conferences and Events - Unacceptable Behaviors:


  • Intimidating, harassing, abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, or demeaning speech or actions by any participants at or in relation to the live or virtual event and related event activities
  • Harassment behavior such as:
    • using offensive verbal comments related to gender, sexual orientation, race, religion, national origin, gender identity and expression, age, physical appearance, body size, personal characteristics, political ideology/identity, or disability
    • Inappropriate use of nudity and/or sexual images in ATS-sponsored spaces or presentation slides
    • Deliberate intimidation, virtual or in-person stalking
    • Yelling at or threatening speakers (others); sustained disruption of talks or other events; unwelcome physical or verbal contact or sexual attention. 
  • Written, verbal or physical abuse, intimidation, threats, efforts to annoy others, harassment, or stalking, which in any way creates a disturbance that is disruptive or dangerous or creates reasonable apprehension in a person.
  • Disrupting live or virtual meetings or sharing without authorization from the presenters or commenters any virtual or live meeting content (such as by posting on social media) without the consent of the creators of the content.  Sharing content for the purposes of reporting a policy or legal violation to ATS or other authorities is not prohibited by this policy 

Consequences of Unacceptable Behavior:

  • ATS, in its discretion, may bar those who violate this Code from continued participation in or attendance at some or all ATS events (live or virtual), without refund of any fees paid.
  • ATS may also in appropriate circumstance bar violators of this Code from participation or attendance at future ATS-sponsored events and may also notify the individual’s employer of ATS’s finding of a violation.