Code of Conduct, Harassment, & Discrimination Policy

Introduction

The Digital Games Research Association (“DiGRA”) is the premier international association for professionals, academics, developers and other individuals interested in the evolving fields of digital gaming and game studies. DiGRA encourages high-quality research on games, and promotes collaboration and dissemination of work by its members.

DiGRA is committed to providing a safe and productive environment free of discrimination, hostility, and harassment in any form, for EVERYONE, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, physical appearance, ethnicity, race, religion, political affiliation, nationality, or any other group identity or basis. DiGRA does not tolerate discrimination, or any form of unlawful harassment, and is committed to enforcing this Code of Conduct (the “Code”).

This document was ratified by the Executive Board on 2 June 2025.

Scope of the Code

The DiGRA requires compliance with the Code by all event participants (members, non-members, and speakers), staff, guests, sponsors, volunteers, and vendors/exhibitors at all official Association conferences, meetings, meeting breakout sessions, tours, and social events, as well as at all Association meeting-related events that are expressly sponsored or promoted by the Association, in public facilities (each may be referred to herein as an “Event” or collectively, as “Events”). Additionally, the Code shall not be limited to live or in-person events. The code shall also apply to all online interactions and digital activities associated with DiGRA and its virtual community. This includes but is not limited to social media, email, online forums, and communication tools. DiGRA aims to establish a culture of professionalism, courtesy, respect, and inclusiveness in all online interactions.

Harassment Defined

As an international professional organization, DiGRA acknowledges that business culture, social norms, and other personal engagements may differ from region to region. Cultural differences in social interactions can be nuanced and subject to interpretation. Evolving social trends further complicate matters, as what may be socially acceptable today may not be tomorrow.

Understandably, there is no one-size-fits-all definition of harassment for every situation. The following definitions serve as non-exclusive guidelines and are subject to future revision. DiGRA reserves the right to apply what it deems to be the best standard to the circumstances, consistent with the following guiding principles and definitions.

Harassment includes speech, gestures or behavior that is not welcome or is personally offensive, whether it is based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, physical appearance, ethnicity, race, religion, political affiliation, nationality or any other group identity. It includes deliberate intimidation, stalking, unwelcome attention, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate/unnecessary/unwanted physical contact, offensive jokes or comments, and unprofessional use of nudity and/or sexual images in public spaces or in presentations.

Behavior that is acceptable to one person may not be acceptable to another. Whether any act is considered offensive or inappropriate is determined by the recipient of such action, attention, or conversation. Harassment intended in a joking manner still constitutes unacceptable behavior.

Within the context of professional practices or scholarly communications, critical examination of beliefs and viewpoints does not, by itself, constitute hostile conduct or harassment.

Prohibited Conduct

As an international professional association, DiGRA is strongly committed to diversity, equity, inclusion, professional expression of ideas, and ethical treatment of all members and conference/meeting participants. These values and a zero-tolerance stance on sexual and other forms of harassment are in line with DiGRA’s belief in the value of civil discourse, even during critical examination and critique of ideas, and the free exploration of competing ideas and concepts — with a fundamental respect for the rights, dignity and value of all persons.

DiGRA seeks to provide in-person and virtual atmospheres in which diverse participants may learn, network and enjoy the company of colleagues in an environment of mutual human respect. DiGRA recognizes a shared responsibility to establish, maintain and protect such an environment for the benefit of all. Some behaviors are, therefore, specifically prohibited. Prohibited conduct at Events includes, but is not limited to:

Harassment or intimidation based on gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, physical appearance, ethnicity, race, religion, political affiliation, nationality or any other group identity or basis.
Sexual harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, stalking (physical or virtual), or unsolicited physical contact.
Harassment, intimidation, or coercion based upon a position as a teacher, superior, employer, or any position of influence.
Abusive, discriminatory, derogatory, ridiculing, lewd, or demeaning language, conduct or presentation materials (visual or auditory).
Bullying, harassment, or unprofessional conduct aimed at speech or professional status.
Yelling at, offensive ridiculing of, or threatening speakers (verbally or physically) or any attendees.
Physical violence or aggression or threats of violence.

Reporting an Incident

If you are experiencing an imminent threat to your physical safety, immediately locate an on-site security professional, police officer, or call emergency services for the country in which you are currently located.

Contact a member of the DiGRA Executive Board as soon as you are safe.

The DiGRA Executive Board can be reached via:

Discord under the ‘Board’ role.
Email at digrainternational@gmail.com

Meeting participants should note that the DiGRA cannot address claims of inappropriate conduct or harassment unless the claims are brought to the attention of the appropriate personnel. Event participants who witness or experience harassment or any inappropriate conduct, including but not limited to the prohibited conduct described above, should report the conduct to the event organizer or other present DiGRA representative. Those reporting a complaint are not expected to discuss the incident with the offending party. All complaints will be treated seriously and be investigated. Confidentiality will be honored to the extent permitted as long as the rights of others are not compromised.

DiGRA reserves the right at any time to investigate situations that affect its live and virtual communities. If an event participant experiences inappropriate conduct, harassment or discrimination at the participant’s own or another institution, at a place of work, at a research facility, or online but not via DiGRA -sponsored channels (e.g., direct emails between parties), DiGRA may be unable to investigate and encourages individuals to contact the appropriate officer/official(s) at that location or institution who handles such issues.

Investigation Procedure

The following procedure will be followed for investigations.

The complainant will be asked to submit a report using DiGRA ‘s online form. Failure to provide a report in writing may limit DiGRA’s ability to formally follow up on a complaint. This limitation does not apply to complaints by DiGRA staff.
A designated DiGRA investigator will discuss the details first with the individual filing the complaint, then with the alleged offender. The investigator may seek counsel or consult with other DiGRA staff, management, officers, and/or legal counsel as needed if the appropriate course of action is unclear.
Findings and results of all investigations will be reported to the DiGRA Executive Board.
DiGRA will notify the individual filing the complaint regarding any action taken on the basis of the report.
Any DiGRA staff or member involved in the investigation of an incident who believes they have a conflict of interest will recuse themselves from the investigation.
Investigations may be conducted on site at a meeting or, if impractical or inappropriate, at another time.

Disciplinary Action

If it is determined that an individual has engaged in prohibited conduct, DiGRA shall determine the appropriate action to be taken, which may include, but is not limited to:

Private reprimand.
Removal from the event without warning or refund.
Implementation of conditions upon attendance at future DiGRA events.
Restriction from attendance at future DiGRA events.
Other action as deemed appropriate and/or necessary.

In the event of the potential for serious, injurious, or offensive conduct, when it seems reasonable to preserve the peace and decorum of the event or to limit harm or to avoid further incidents, DiGRA may take immediate action and ask a person to leave an event, depending on the nature of the issue; follow-up may occur later.

DiGRA may, but is not required to, report any incident to proper authorities, including but not limited to event security and law enforcement, if in DiGRA’s sole discretion such reporting is appropriate.

Retaliation

DiGRA will not tolerate any form of retaliation against persons who file a complaint or assist in the investigation of a complaint. Retaliation is a serious violation of this policy and, like harassment or discrimination itself, will be subject to disciplinary action.

Petition to Rejoin

In the event that a community member has been restricted from attending DiGRA events, that community member may petition to have their restriction removed after 1 year. Please find the petition to rejoin here.

DISCLAIMER: In adopting and disseminating this Code of Conduct, Harassment, & Discrimination Policy, DiGRA’s main purpose is to encourage appropriate behavior and to address inappropriate behavior. It is important to recognize that DiGRA is an international professional association and is not authorized to adjudicate or enforce the law. However, DiGRA believes in the importance of taking action in good faith and in the best interest and protection of members and attendees. Nonetheless, DiGRA is not responsible for the conduct of any individual, assumes no duty to halt, limit, or address any problematic or illegal conduct, and shall not have liability for conduct between and among any individuals.