Guidelines for respectful engagement

Formed in 2013, the Global Alliance for Genomics and Health (GA4GH) unites an international community dedicated to accelerating the potential of research and medicine to benefit human health through genomic data. In the spirit of community and collaboration, we have compiled the GA4GH Guidelines for Respectful Engagement to educate the community and raise the standard of excellence for participation.

This document is a complement to the GA4GH Code of Ethics and Community Conduct, and is not meant to replace or negate any other GA4GH policy or agreement. Any behaviour contrary to these guidelines can be reported and may potentially result in consequences described in section VI of the GA4GH Code of Ethics and Community Conduct. These guidelines are a living document; as we continue to learn and grow as a community, we will make additions and edits as necessary.

Treat each other with respect, professionalism, fairness, and sensitivity to our many differences and strengths, including in situations of high pressure and urgency. We are a large community of people who are passionate about our work, sometimes holding strong opinions and beliefs. We are committed to dealing with each other with courtesy, respect, and dignity at all times. Being unable to understand why someone holds a viewpoint does not mean that they are wrong. Misunderstandings and disagreements do happen. When conflicts arise, we are expected to resolve them while maintaining that courtesy, respect, and dignity, even when emotions are heightened.
Appreciate and accommodate our similarities and differences. We come from many cultures and backgrounds, ways of life, and standards of behaviour. Cultural differences can encompass everything from official religious observances to personal habits to clothing. Be respectful of people with different practices, attitudes, and beliefs. To help us achieve and maintain these high standards, each individual participant is expected to share responsibility for our work environment by adhering to the behavioural guidelines herein.
Have empathy when discussing sensitive issues. Some participants may have experienced (or been subjected to) various forms of violence in their lives, which may cause distress when they are reminded of it. For example, avoid making jokes about or callously mentioning sexual violence, such as stalking or sexual assault; in cases when the need arises to discuss sensitive issues and how they affect people, do so with tact and empathy, taking into account the gravity of the situation. Also, make sure that participants are appropriately warned in advance so they can choose to step out of these discussions.
Be thoughtful in communications. Be truthful, sincere, forthright, candid (unless professional duties require confidentiality or special discretion), straightforward, and frank.
Be open to new perspectives, and give back to the community by sharing your own knowledge and experience. It is important to be open to new perspectives, even when these may not align with your own. In turn, you should give back by being open about sharing your expertise. This way, members of our vibrant community can learn from one another.
Be inclusive and promote diversity. Seek diverse perspectives. Diversity of views and of people powers innovation, even if it is not always comfortable. Encourage all voices. Help new perspectives be heard and listen actively. Provide alternative ways to contribute — GA4GH is built on collaboration, and every opportunity/interaction should be a way for all members to contribute to the organisation.
Be aware of how much time is taken up by dominant members of the group. If you notice that a single voice — which may be your own — is dominating conversation, attempt to bring others into the discussion by asking their opinions or thoughts.
Be aware that displays of affection may complicate professional relationships. For some cultures, an overtly friendly disposition towards another participant involving body contact (e.g. hugging, touching on the arm or shoulder, or kissing) is uncommon and may be perceived as an invasion of personal space, or as unwelcome advances.
Work to eliminate your own biases, prejudices, and discriminatory practices, including microaggressions, which are small comments or questions (either intentional or unintentional) that marginalise people by communicating hostile, derogatory, or negative beliefs. Examples include:

patronising language or behaviour:

be aware that, regardless of the speaker's intentions, some phrases or constructions lead people to expect a patronising statement to follow, and avoid such phrases (for example, beginning an interjection with "Well, actually..." can set this expectation and be taken as a sign of disrespect);
assuming that particular people or groups need concepts defined or explained to them; it’s great to be sensitive to the fact that people may not be familiar with technical terms you use every day, but assuming that people are uninformed can come across as patronising;
assuming that particular groups of people are technically unskilled (e.g. “so easy your grandmother could do it”);

repeatedly interrupting or talking over someone else;
shaming, for example, expressing surprise at someone’s lack of knowledge or awareness about a topic;
the use of racially-charged language to describe an individual or thing;
referring to an individual in a way that demeans or challenges the validity of their identity, such as racial identity;
mocking someone’s real or perceived accent or first language.

Think of others’ needs from their point of view. Use preferred names, titles (including pronouns), and the appropriate tone of voice. Therefore, be formal and conservative in what you do, and liberal in what you accept from others.
Reasonable communication of boundaries is welcomed and encouraged, such as “leave me alone,” “go away,” or “I’m not discussing this with you,” even if those words feel harsh to the recipient.
Prioritise the content of an interaction rather than the tone of voice, which is subjective and may be perceived differently by different individuals.
Acknowledge the contributions of your peers. Proper attribution is essential to maintaining a vibrant and trusted community.
Accommodate participants' needs for physical distancing and other accommodations or precautions due to health concerns such as immune deficiency, allergies, or chemical sensitivity.
Be sensitive to language differences. English is the working language of GA4GH. However, many of us are not native English speakers. Many participants speak English as a second or third language. People who communicate in non-native languages often struggle to understand fast and/or quiet speech, and may speak louder than they usually would when communicating in their native tongue. If someone struggles to express their thoughts, help ensure their ideas are adequately expressed, heard, and granted thorough consideration.

Name pronunciation may seem difficult. If you are unsure about how to pronounce someone's name, reach out and ask them, even if you have to do it on multiple occasions.

Respect confidentiality and privacy. Sometimes, matters we discuss may fall under various confidentiality agreements, and strict adherence to these agreements is expected. In addition, certain pieces of information disclosed in a group setting may be private in nature, or we may inadvertently learn confidential information accidentally disclosed by other participants. Please exercise good judgement, and make reasonable efforts to protect privacy and confidentiality of all participants.