Code of Conduct

Date Approved: January 19, 2022

Date of Last Update: January 25, 2022

Version: 1.1

Scope

This Code of Conduct establishes general expectations for PRIMED (Polygenic Risk Methods in Diverse Populations) Consortium (hence, “Consortium”) members. More specific expectations are set in other Consortium policies—i.e. in what circumstances do manuscripts or conference abstracts require Consortium review and/or approval will be addressed in the Consortium Publications Policy. Specific expectations and requirements for data access and sharing will be addressed in the Consortium Data Sharing Policy.

PRIMED Code of Conduct

The following Code of Conduct sets expectations for all Consortium members in four main areas: (1) maintaining confidentiality of unpublished scientific results; (2) responsible use of participant data; (3) cultivating a collaborative environment that supports early stage investigators; promotes equity, diversity, and inclusion; and is free of discrimination and harassment; and (4) adherence to all other Consortium policies and procedures. Mechanisms to report violations are also addressed. Individuals must agree to abide by this Code as a condition of becoming a Consortium member and gaining access to the internal Consortium website; other circumstances (e.g. a guest speaker attends an otherwise closed Consortium meeting) may also require signing the Code of Conduct or an abbreviated version thereof. 

Confidentiality and non-disclosure

Sharing in-progress scientific work and products is essential to collaborative science in the Consortium. The following assurances are to protect the confidentiality of unpublished scientific results and information that are discussed, presented, or otherwise shared within the Consortium, including materials on the internal (i.e. behind the member log-in) website.

  1. Unless specifically noted otherwise (i.e. by the presenter or event organizer), member will consider as proprietary and confidential all discussions and exchanges occurring during Consortium meetings (including Working Group, Committee, and Consortium-wide meetings), along with exchanges of data, presentations, meeting minutes, manuscripts and other written materials.
  2. Member will seek express permission of the party providing the information before sharing with any non-Consortium member (see Related Policies below for membership definitions).

Responsible use of research participant data

  1. Member will use research participant data solely in connection with their job in relation to the Consortium.
  2. Member will make no attempt to re-identify research participants from whom these data were collected.
  3. Member will respect participant consent and data use limitations in all cases. 

Collaborative environment

  1. Member agrees to uphold a professional and respectful standard of conduct and behavior in all Consortium meetings—in-person and virtual—and communications— written or verbal—with all individuals with whom they interact in their capacity as Consortium members. 
  2. Member agrees to not engage in harassment, intimidation, or discrimination of any form. 

Consortium policies and procedures

  1. Member agrees to abide by all Consortium policies and procedures, including policies for publications, data access and use (intra-Consortium), and data release and sharing (with the scientific community).
  2. Member agrees to review and stay apprised of Consortium policy and procedure documents, located on the internal website, and proactively raise any questions with the appropriate co-chair(s), Steering Committee, Program Officer, and/or Coordinating Center, as appropriate.

Reporting and violations

  1. Violations of this Code of Conduct should be reported as soon as possible to the Coordinating Center, NIH Program Officers, Steering Committee co-chairs, or Study Site PI. If initially reported within a Study Site, the individual notified should report to at least one of the other parties mentioned above (CC, NIH, or one of the SC co-chairs). Reports can be made anonymously without fear of repercussions and will be treated as confidentially as possible.
  2. Sanctions for violations may range from an initial warning to a period of probation from the Consortium and attending Consortium events/meetings and possible suspension of access to the internal website and/or Consortium AnVIL workspaces. The NIH Program Officers and Steering Committee co-chairs may decide the appropriate sanctions.