AltSci / APEC encourages the exploration of emerging science and technology through open inquiry, thoughtful discussion, and experimental investigation. We welcome researchers, engineers, independent investigators, entrepreneurs, students, and interested members of the public.

This code applies equally to attendees, presenters, organizers, moderators, volunteers, and sponsors. It covers conference sessions, Open Mic events, live chat, official online communities, and related conference communications. It also covers threats or targeted harassment arising from someone’s participation.

1. Treat people with professional respect

Treat fellow participants with courtesy, regardless of their background, qualifications, affiliation, or scientific viewpoint. Personal insults, intimidation, discriminatory abuse, sexual harassment, threats, and stalking are unacceptable.

Respect personal boundaries and stop unwanted private contact when asked.

2. Support open inquiry and constructive disagreement

Unconventional ideas, skeptical questions, and strong scientific disagreement are welcome. Focus criticism on claims, methods, evidence, reasoning, and conclusions. Explain objections clearly and allow others an opportunity to respond.

Holding an unpopular scientific position, questioning a presenter’s conclusions, requesting evidence, or remaining unconvinced is not, by itself, a conduct violation. Participants are expected to engage without personal attacks or attempts to humiliate others.

3. Present work honestly and avoid misrepresentation

Represent research, qualifications, affiliations, and achievements accurately. Clearly distinguish observations and experimental results from interpretations, hypotheses, and speculation.

Do not present a hypothesis or model as experimentally established, independently replicated, or broadly accepted when that description is inaccurate. Describe the status of testing and replication honestly, and represent other people’s statements, positions, and research fairly.

Credit sources and collaborators, disclose relevant financial or commercial interests, and correct confirmed substantive errors or material misrepresentations.

Fabrication, plagiarism, and knowingly misleading representations are unacceptable. Preliminary or disputed findings and honest mistakes do not, by themselves, constitute misconduct.

4. Respect intellectual independence

Participants are welcome to explain, advocate for, and critically examine scientific models through evidence, reasoning, and open discussion. They must accurately represent their own positions and competing views, distinguish supporting evidence from interpretation, and describe relevant uncertainties honestly.

No participant is required to adopt a particular scientific model, theoretical framework, or worldview as a condition of participation. Pressuring others to declare agreement, disparaging people for withholding agreement, or repeatedly redirecting unrelated discussions toward a preferred model is unacceptable.

Respect others’ right to question a model, remain unconvinced, or end a private discussion. Follow moderator directions when a public exchange has concluded.

5. Respect the session and other participants’ time

Follow the session format, speaking limits, and moderator directions. Keep questions relevant and reasonably concise, allow speakers to finish, and give others an opportunity to contribute.

Repeated interruptions, monopolizing discussion, flooding the chat, and continuing a dispute after a moderator has closed it are unacceptable. Moderators may redirect or end an exchange to keep the event productive and on schedule.

6. Respect privacy, recordings, and others’ work

Public sessions may be livestreamed, recorded, and published, as announced by organizers. Follow the recording and sharing arrangements communicated for each event.

Do not publicly disclose private messages, personal contact details, or confidential material without authorization. Respect authorship and permissions when using another person’s work.

Participants may preserve and privately share relevant evidence when reporting misconduct.

7. Keep promotion appropriate

Share projects, products, services, and funding opportunities within the opportunities designated by organizers. Avoid spam, repeated unsolicited pitches, and pressure on participants to purchase, donate, or invest.

Do not claim that AltSci / APEC endorses a product, investment, organization, or scientific conclusion without authorization.

8. Report concerns privately and without retaliation

Report concerns to Tim Ventura or privately to an event moderator. If the concern involves that person, contact us on our website contact form.

Provide a brief description and any available supporting information, such as messages or timestamps. Complete documentation is not required to raise a concern.

Organizers will handle reports discreetly and share information only as reasonably needed to assess and respond. Retaliation against someone for raising a good-faith concern or assisting a review is prohibited.

A report made in good faith is not misconduct merely because the available evidence is inconclusive.

9. Moderation and consequences

Moderators may redirect discussion, issue warnings, mute participants, remove content, or remove participants from an event. Serious or repeated violations may result in temporary or permanent restrictions on future participation. Threats, harassment, or substantial disruption may warrant immediate removal without a prior warning.

Responses should reflect the nature, severity, and persistence of the conduct. Before finalizing longer-term restrictions, organizers will review available evidence and provide a reasonable opportunity to respond.

Participants may request reconsideration privately; an organizer without a conflict of interest should review the request where practicable.

These standards apply regardless of a participant’s prominence, sponsorship, or relationship with the organizers.

By participating in AltSci / APEC activities, participants agree to follow this code.