The GLOCAL code of ethics

Introduction

The Global Conference on Anthropological Linguistics’s (GLOCAL’s) Ethical Principles of Linguistic Anthropologists and Code of Conduct (hereinafter referred to as the Code of Ethics) addresses those participating at GLOCAL conferences and in activities pertinent to the progress of GLOCAL conferences before, during and after the GLOCAL conferences, and in projects associated with the GLOCAL conferences.

The introduction discusses the intent, organization, procedural considerations, and scope of application of the Code of Ethics for GLOCAL conferences. The Preamble and General Principles seek to guide Linguistic Anthropologists toward good practice in GLOCAL conferences, and in Linguistic Anthropology in general. The Ethical Standards set forth enforceable rules for conduct of those acting as Linguistic Anthropologists before, during, and after GLOCAL conferences, yet are not intended to be exhaustive.

This Code of Ethics applies only to Linguistic Anthropologists’ activities that constitute their scientific, educational, or professional roles as Linguistic Anthropologists in and around the GLOCAL conferences, and applies to these activities across multiple contexts.

Membership with the GLOCAL encourages and commits members and affiliates to comply with the GLOCAL Code of Ethics and to the regulations and procedures used to enforce them. Lack of awareness or misunderstanding of Ethical Standards does not constitute defense against unethical conduct.

The procedures for filing, investigating, and resolving complaints of unethical conduct are included in the Rules and Procedures of the GLOCAL. The GLOCAL may impose sanctions on members for violating the Code of Ethics. The Code of Ethics guides Linguistic Anthropologists with standards of professional conduct that can be adopted by these individuals and groups. Whether a Linguistic Anthropologist has violated the Code of Ethics standards does not alone determine whether legal consequences occur. Linguistic Anthropologists must consider this Code of Ethics in addition to applicable laws and Linguistic Anthropology regulations, and must maintain FULL adherence to all issues and items concerning human rights.

Foreword

Linguistic Anthropologists must commit themselves to increasing understanding of the anthropos, and must apply this knowledge to raise the state of the anthropos.

This Code of Ethics provides standards has as its goals the welfare and protection of the anthropos, and of Linguistic Anthropologists.

General Principles

General Principles guide Linguistic Anthropologists toward ethical ideals, and do not represent mandatory procedures.

Principle A: Beneficence

Work by Linguistic Anthropologists must benefit all those with whom they work, and must buffer society and the anthropos in general from all damage, predominantly through research and communal contribution. Here, reflexivity is vital, where Linguistic Anthropologists must pay specific attention to their positions vis-a-vis society.

Principle B: Accountability

Linguistic Anthropologists must work to establish rapport with those with whom they collaborate, through an awareness of accountability toward their networks and communities. Here, Linguistic Anthropologists fully and continuously consult with others so to ensure that the best interests of all others are attained.

Principle C: Integrity

Linguistic Anthropologists promote precision, and integrity in all work specific to and remote to Linguistic Anthropology, and always seek to take specific action to counter such unethical acts.

Principle D: Justice

Linguistic Anthropologists recognize that justice entitles all persons to partake in a meritocracy and a democracy, where all persons have equal opportunity to benefit from contributions by Linguistic Anthropologists. Linguistic Anthropologists ensure that their actions contribute effectively to the execution of justice, and to the impediment of injustice.

Principle E: Respect for Rights and Dignity

Linguistic Anthropologists respect the dignity and worth of humanity, and the rights of individuals to confidentiality. Here, Linguistic Anthropologists must abide by all current knowledge that advocates the respect of the anthropos, while avoiding any efforts towards biases and bigotry, and judgement based on generalization of groups.

Ethical Issues

Linguistic Anthropologists must take reasonable steps to minimize the misuse or misrepresentation of any work directed at the field. Linguistic Anthropologists must take reasonable steps to render themselves aware of, and to resolve conflict consistent with, the General Principles and Ethical Standards of the Code of Ethics. Linguistic Anthropologists must resolve ethical violations in Linguistic Anthropology by creating awareness and by attempting to intervene through discrete methods, while simultaneously protecting the rights of all those involved in the incident. This includes the appropriate and non-damaging reporting of these violations, in a discrete manner, to the correct authorities.

Linguistic anthropologists cooperate in ethics investigations, proceedings, and resulting requirements of The GLOCAL or any affiliated association to which they belong. In doing so, they address any confidentiality issues.

Linguistic anthropologists will not use complaints by others so as to damage those persons, but rather, will use these issues to assist those persons to increase the quality of work and community, and to assist others to develop their opportunities to attain and advocate justice in society and in their profession.

Professional and Personal Competence

Linguistic anthropologists provide services, teach, and conduct research with populations and in areas only within the boundaries of their competence, based on their education, training, supervised experience, consultation, study, or professional experience. Linguistic Anthropologists ensure that they attain the expertise necessary to ensure that they appropriate their competence for the good of their field and of humanity, and in the process, ensure that they continuous engage in their own (reflexive) capacity building so to increase their expertise in these matters.

Similarly, all personal interactions with those the field, whether professional, academia, communal, or personal must maintain a strict adherence to all ethical requirements, and must not abuse the trust nor humane requirements of those individuals or groups. Personal interactions are always recommended, but if and only if those interactions consider the well being of all. Here, the Linguistic Anthropologists must ensure that they develop their competence as professionals, and as contributors to society.

Exploitation

Linguistic anthropologists must not seek to exploit persons over whom they exercise authority. Informed consent during Linguistic Anthropological work, all discourse must be transparent and fully accessible to all participants and stakeholders. Here, all consent must be unforced and at provision for which must be at the leisure of all participants. Furthermore, consent age or guardianship will be considered at all times. These guardianship or legal authorities will be consulted prior to approaching any potential participants, where participants will not be forced into participating in any activities of research or of communal development. Any action counter to this will constitute exploitation and abuse of legal rights of participants. The Linguistic Anthropologist must also retain all records of consent so as to produce these records at times when legal authorities, or participants, request these. However, the consenting participants and their legal guardians must at all times be provided with all necessary documentation of their full liberal consent to partake in any collaboration with the Linguistic Anthropologists.

Confidentiality

Linguistic Anthropologists are primarily obliged to exercise confidentiality with respect to themselves, their work, and all others. All individuals are entitled to discuss matters pertinent to work and society with those with whom they have appropriate and relevant relationships, and with those with whom the information is ethically and relevant and beneficial. Here, the Linguistic Anthropologists and their collaborators must consider both the limits of confidentiality and the uses of information. Confidentiality must be discussed and agreed to, preferably in writing and through consent, prior to the onset of exchange of information.

All documentation of Linguistic Anthropological data must be maintained in strict confidentiality, and only the material which can be produced for public or analytical scrutiny may be released appropriately. All material must be released following full and written and liberal consent by those documented. Furthermore, no data that may be seen as harmful to any parties must been released without specific purpose, such as in a court of law when called for. Researchers must include in written and oral reports and consultations, only information germane to the purpose of interaction.

Record Keeping

Linguistic Anthropologists create, maintain, and disseminate data so as to allow for replication of research. Here, storing of data must allow the data to remain appropriately confidential.

Education and Training

Linguistic Anthropologists design programs to provide appropriate knowledge and experiences, and accurately represent the programs to all parties interested and who are stakeholders.

Research and Publications

Linguistic Anthropologists must at all times provide accurate information regarding their work, and must seek to obtain consent and approval for all work conducted. Furthermore, all findings must be interpreted and presented in all honesty, and without any effort to deceive readers or other stakeholders. Plagiarism and misrepresentation is unacceptable and must be addressed through copyright law and its implications.

Chronology

The GLOCAL adopted this version of the GLOCAL Code of Ethics during its meeting on January 1, 2018. The Code became effective on January 1, 2018.

Inquiries concerning the substance or interpretation of the GLOCAL Code of Ethics should be addressed to the Director, The GLOCAL, The Conference on Asian Linguistic Anthropology, at the contact email.