15th International Conference on Frontotemporal Dementias – Oct. 8-11, 2026

ISFTD 2026 Conference Code of Conduct

  1. Purpose and Scope
    1. The International Society for Frontotemporal Dementias (“ISFTD” or the “Society”) is committed to providing a professional, respectful, inclusive, and safe environment that supports open scientific exchange and collaboration.
    2. This Code of Conduct (“Code”) applies to all persons participating in or supporting the ISFTD 2026 Conference, including attendees, members, speakers, moderators, poster presenters, exhibitors, sponsors, guests, volunteers, contractors, staff, organizers, and accredited Media Representatives.
    3. The Code applies to all official conference activities and spaces, including scientific and educational sessions, poster and exhibition areas, meetings, virtual platforms, digital conference spaces, receptions, dinners, and other ISFTD-sponsored conference events.
    4. All participants are required to comply with this Code and with reasonable instructions issued by authorized ISFTD, meeting, venue, or security personnel.
    5. Views and opinions expressed by presenters, moderators, panelists, and other participants are their own and do not necessarily represent the views or positions of ISFTD.
  2. Professional and Respectful Conduct
    1. Participants shall treat others with courtesy, dignity, and professional respect.
    2. Scientific disagreement and critical discussion are encouraged when conducted constructively. Criticism shall address ideas, methods, evidence, or conclusions and shall not involve personal attacks or abusive conduct.
    3. Participants shall respect differing scientific, clinical, professional, cultural, and personal perspectives.
    4. Participants shall not obstruct or deliberately interfere with presentations, discussions, conference activities, or the ability of others to participate.
    5. Professional standards under this Code apply equally during scientific sessions, networking activities, official social functions, and other conference-related interactions.
  3. Prohibited Conduct
    1. ISFTD does not tolerate harassment, bullying, intimidation, stalking, threats, or other abusive or coercive behavior.
    2. Discriminatory conduct is prohibited, including conduct based on race, ethnicity, color, nationality, sex, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion, professional status, career stage, or other personal characteristics protected under applicable law.
    3. Unwanted physical contact, sexual advances, sexual harassment, or other unwelcome sexual conduct is prohibited.
    4. Participants shall not deliberately disrupt presentations, sessions, discussions, meetings, or conference operations.
    5. Participants shall not impersonate another person, knowingly misrepresent their professional credentials or conference status, or obtain access to restricted conference areas, systems, or materials without authorization.
    6. Retaliation against a person who makes a good-faith report, assists with a review, or raises a concern under this Code is prohibited.
  4. Scientific and Professional Integrity
    1. Participants presenting scientific or professional material shall do so honestly and accurately and shall comply with applicable disclosure requirements.
    2. Presenters shall disclose relevant financial relationships and conflicts of interest in accordance with applicable ISFTD conference requirements.
    3. Participants shall not knowingly falsify or materially misrepresent research findings, data, authorship, professional qualifications, or credentials.
    4. Participants shall not present another person’s work as their own or reproduce, distribute, or disclose another researcher’s unpublished data, findings, materials, or ideas without appropriate authorization.
    5. Persons involved in abstract review, award review, peer review, committee deliberations, or other processes through which non-public information is provided shall maintain the confidentiality of that information in accordance with the applicable ISFTD requirements.
    6. Nothing in this Code makes ISFTD the adjudicating body for allegations of research or professional misconduct that properly fall within the jurisdiction of a university, employer, professional body, regulator, or other institution. ISFTD may refer such matters to the appropriate organization where warranted.
  5. Recording, Photography, Social Media and Embargoes
    1. Participants shall comply with all applicable ISFTD instructions concerning photography, recording, livestreaming, social media, embargoes, and the use or dissemination of conference materials.
    2. Participants shall not photograph, record, livestream, reproduce, distribute, or otherwise capture conference content where such activity is prohibited or restricted by ISFTD, the applicable session requirements, or the rights of the presenter or other rights holder.
    3. Unpublished, embargoed, confidential, or otherwise restricted information shall not be disclosed or distributed contrary to the applicable restrictions.
    4. Participants shall respect any session-specific or presentation-specific instructions concerning photography, recording, or sharing.
    5. Accredited Media Representatives are additionally subject to the ISFTD Media and Embargo Policy. Where that Policy or a specific ISFTD instruction imposes a more specific or restrictive requirement, that requirement shall apply.
  6. Reporting Concerns
    1. A participant who experiences, witnesses, or becomes aware of conduct that may violate this Code is encouraged to report the matter as soon as reasonably practicable.
    2. Concerns may be reported:
    3. by email to meeting@isftd.org;
    4. directly to the ISFTD Executive Office; or
    5. to designated ISFTD meeting personnel onsite.
    6. Where a concern presents an immediate risk to health or safety, participants should contact venue security or the appropriate emergency services without delay.
    7. A report should contain sufficient information to allow ISFTD to understand and assess the concern, where reasonably possible. Anonymous information may be considered, although anonymity can limit ISFTD’s ability to investigate or respond.
    8. ISFTD will handle reports as confidentially as reasonably practicable. Information may be disclosed where necessary to assess or investigate a concern, obtain professional advice, protect participants, take appropriate action, notify an affected organization or authority, or comply with applicable law.
    9. No adverse action will be taken against a person solely because they made a good-faith report that could not subsequently be substantiated.
  7. Review and Immediate Measures
    1. ISFTD reserves the right to review any actual or suspected violation of this Code and to request information reasonably necessary to establish the relevant circumstances.
    2. ISFTD may take immediate interim measures where reasonably necessary to protect participants, preserve safety, prevent disruption, protect confidential or restricted information, or maintain the orderly operation of the conference.
    3. Interim measures may include directing a participant to stop particular conduct, restricting access to a session or area, requiring a participant to leave an activity, suspending conference access, or involving venue security.
    4. Where practicable and appropriate in the circumstances, a person alleged to have committed a significant violation will be informed of the substance of the concern and given a reasonable opportunity to respond before a final determination is made.
    5. This process is an operational conference procedure and is not a judicial, employment, academic misconduct, or professional disciplinary proceeding. ISFTD is not required to conduct a formal evidentiary hearing.
  8. Consequences of Non-Compliance
    1. Where ISFTD determines that a violation of this Code has occurred, it may impose one or more measures appropriate to the circumstances, including:
    2. an instruction to cease or modify the conduct;
    3. a verbal or written warning;
    4. removal from a session, activity, exhibition area, social event, or other conference space;
    5. restriction, suspension, or termination of conference access, credentials, or participation;
    6. removal from the conference without refund;
    7. restriction or exclusion from future ISFTD meetings or activities;
    8. notification of an employer, institution, professional organization, sponsor, or other relevant organization where reasonably warranted by the nature and seriousness of the conduct;
    9. referral of scientific or professional misconduct concerns to the relevant institution or body;
    10. notification of venue security, emergency services, or law-enforcement authorities where conduct presents a safety concern or may constitute unlawful conduct; and
    11. other reasonable measures necessary to protect ISFTD, conference participants, scientific activities, or the orderly operation of the conference.
    12. In determining the appropriate response, ISFTD may consider the seriousness of the conduct, its actual or potential impact, whether the conduct was deliberate or repeated, any immediate safety risk, previous warnings or violations, cooperation with the review, corrective action taken, and other relevant circumstances.
    13. Serious, threatening, deliberately disruptive, or repeated conduct may result in immediate removal or other action without prior warning.
    14. Removal, suspension, or termination of participation for violation of this Code does not create an entitlement to reimbursement of registration fees, travel, accommodation, transportation, or other expenses.
  9. Administration and Interpretation
    1. This Code is administered by ISFTD through its Executive Office and authorized meeting personnel.
    2. ISFTD retains final authority to interpret and apply this Code in relation to the conference and its associated activities.
    3. Authorized ISFTD representatives may make operational decisions necessary to implement this Code and respond to conduct arising during the conference.
    4. Specific ISFTD instructions applying to a particular session, area, event, platform, or activity shall take precedence over the general provisions of this Code to the extent that they impose a more specific requirement.
    5. Participation in the ISFTD 2026 Conference is conditional upon compliance with this Code and other applicable ISFTD conference policies and requirements.
    6. ISFTD reserves the right to amend this Code where reasonably required for operational, safety, legal, or regulatory purposes.