Participant Code of Conduct

BEHAVIOR

PIRP expects all team members—participants, staff, and faculties—to:

• Treat all people with respect

• Foster a safe, productive, inclusive and positive environment for learning and research.

• Abide by all applicable laws.

Participants are expected to participate in program activities to the best of their ability in order to contribute meaningfully to the research. Participants are required to follow the instructions of the PIRP Team Leaders.

Disruptive behaviour or verbal, physical, or any other type of abuse, intimidation, harassment, assault or other illegal activity will not be tolerated on PIRP.

If, prior to the field activities, a student's oral or written conduct toward PIRP or project staff has raised concerns about the potential disruption of team operations or safety in the field, PIRP reserves the right to cancel that student to participate in the expedition and retain the enrollment fee (10% of the program cost).

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INCLUSIVITY

It is essential to the PIRP mission that people participate in solving the environmental challenges we face. To this end, PIRP is continuously working toward improving inclusivity and accessibility on our programs.

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DISCRIMINATION

PIRP promotes respect and inclusion for all people.

PIRP does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, gender, gender identity or expression, sex, sexual orientation or any other reason prohibited by applicable law and respects participants’ right to privacy.

Discrimination will not be tolerated on PIRP teams or in interactions with members of the local community. Please also be aware that local anti-discrimination laws and customs may vary from country to country.

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DRUGS, ALCOHOL & SMOKING POLICY

The possession, use, purchase, and/or sale of illegal or recreational drugs is strictly prohibited for any person while working or participating in a PIRP program. Prescription drugs may only be used by the individual indicated on the prescription, in keeping with the intended use guidelines.

Possession and consumption of alcohol are strictly prohibited while in the field by any person. During the days spent in the city, alcohol can be consumed responsibly during the participant's free time. 

The PIRP organization may set additional restrictions on alcohol possession or consumption at any time during the program.

Excessive alcohol consumption by students, staff, or faculty is not acceptable in PIRP programs. PIRP staff and faculty have the discretion to remove individuals from the program who consume alcohol at a time and in a manner that endangers the safety and/or productivity of the program.

Smoking is not permitted in the field. In the city, it is permitted only in designated areas, which vary from site to site. Cigarette remnants must be disposed of properly.

 

SEXUAL HARASSMENT

Sexual Harassment will not be tolerated on PIRP or in interactions with members of the community.

Sexual harassment refers to verbal, written or physical conduct of a sexual nature that creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment, including but not limited to: unwelcome sexual advances; pressure for sexual activity or requests for sexual favors; inappropriate or unwelcome physical contact or exposure; explicit or suggestive speech or gestures, including inappropriate jokes, teasing or insinuations; gender-specific, demeaning or derisive remarks or slurs; explicit or suggestive images that are displayed, e-mailed or texted.

Remember that different people have different ideas of what is appropriate or inappropriate. What may be joking to one person may be unwelcome and offensive to another—including other participants, the local population, faculty, or program staff. It is important to be sensitive to others' reactions and nonverbal cues. Any participant who is found to have engaged in conduct constituting sexual harassment may be immediately removed from the program at their own expense.

Anyone who believes they have been affected by or witnessed sexual harassment should report it to the PIRP organization.

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EXCLUSIVE RELATIONSHIPS

PIRP faculty and staff, are prohibited from becoming romantically involved with PIRP students for the entire program duration.

Because faculty and staff members hold positions of authority, the relationship that exists between students and them is analogous to a student-teacher relationship. Intimate, romantic, or exclusive relationships can create an uncomfortable work environment and negatively affect team dynamics.

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RECREATIONAL TIME

If there is a period during a regular research day when no research activities are scheduled, participants may leave the project site on their own but may be asked to sign out of the project before doing so. In the field, it will be mandatory that anyone leaving the camp take a VHF radio and inform PIRP staff about plans and return time. 

PIRP will assess the general risks of participants leaving the camp but cannot guarantee their safety or awareness of all issues. In some cases, due to local conditions, participants may have to stay at the camp during recreational time; PIRP staff will timely inform participants of any restrictions.​

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INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY RIGHTS

It is permissible to share photos, videos, and stories of your expedition with family, friends, local media, and in a public forum. Sharing your new perspectives and experiences is welcomed and encouraged.

However, please recognize that all information, data, and images shared or gathered in the course of your expedition’s fieldwork are the intellectual property of the PIRP and its participants. All data produced in your and previous expeditions is shared with all PIRP participants, including future participants. These data can be used for scientific thesis, master’s, or PhD work, for academic publication only if it counts with the written consent of the PIRP organization and the individuals involved in the field data acquisition.

Without such written consent, the co-opting or plagiarism of data, images, or information gathered during an expedition for use in a scientific thesis, master’s, or PhD work, for profit, or for the academic or business use of a third party is strictly prohibited. PIRP faculty and staff have the right to place additional restrictions on your ability to share data or certain research-related images.

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IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY

PIRP expeditions have safety protocols and emergency procedures in place. For their safety and the safety of other team members, participants must adhere to the instructions of the PIRP staff and faculty. In the event of an emergency, first aid may be administered, and other immediate steps may be taken by expedition participants or staff members who are not licensed medical providers. While PIRP makes an effort to ensure that qualified people make the most informed decisions possible, judgments must be made in the event of an emergency situation in the field.

PIRP encourages team members to be vigilant about their own and others' safety. Participants may perform “Good Samaritan” actions or actions taken to assist fellow participants during emergency situations in the field. However, PIRP does not encourage or expect you to jeopardize your safety or that of others in attempting to rescue or assist your fellow expedition members.

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RIGHT OF REFUSAL

Neither PIRP nor program staff may refuse a participant for discriminatory reasons (race, religion, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, etc.). However, PIRP staff reserve the right to refuse an applicant’s participation in an PIRP activity at any time due to safety concerns, logistical limitations or in the interest of team compatibility.

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PARTICIPANT DISMISSAL FOR POLICY VIOLATION

The PIRP organization has the discretion to terminate a participant's work and require the participant to vacate the field site.

A participant is subject to removal from the team at their own expense if:

1.  The participant’s behaviour compromises the safety, research objectives or general performance of the group;

2. The participant has misrepresented their qualifications, for example an undeclared or understated medical condition (whether physical or mental), which could compromise their safety or the safety of anyone else; or

3. The participant has violated a stated policy or law.

In the event a participant is removed from a PIRP expedition, the participant will be responsible for making and paying for any necessary accommodation, travel, or other arrangements associated with their departure. The participant will not be eligible for a refund of the contribution for the expedition, nor any expenses incurred by participation on the expedition.