Note: This policy is modified from the version created by Mahli-Ann Butt and Marcus Carter for DiGRAA 2019.
Inclusivity Policy
The Digital Games Research Association Australia is committed to supporting diversity and inclusivity within the annual DiGRAA conference, and more broadly in the field of game studies and beyond. In consequence, DiGRAA 2023 has adopted the following safer space policy and implemented numerous diversity and inclusivity initiatives in the ongoing effort to improve the diversity and inclusivity of this annual conference.
Improving the diversity and inclusivity of DiGRAA is an ongoing conversation, and as such, if you feel that this policy can be improved in anyway, please contact the DIGRAA 2023 General Chair Malcolm Ryan <malcolm.ryan@mq.edu.au> or Mahli-Ann Butt <mahliann.butt@unimelb.edu.au>
Safer Space Policy and Inclusivity Initiatives at DiGRAA 2023
A safer space policy aims to foster an environment of respect which makes ALL participants, particularly those who are typically marginalized or excluded, feel welcome. Differing opinions and perspectives are crucial to effective discussion, but all attendees ultimately take responsibility for their own speech and behaviour – in person, and on social media – throughout the entire conference and associated social gatherings.
Attendees are encouraged to:
- Ask respectful questions and avoid dominating a presenter’s question time to further any particular agenda. Question time after a talk is intended to give presenters the opportunity to expand on their talk in response to audience questions, and is not a platform for the audience to individually reply.
- Be mindful of and understand that intersectionality shapes our lived experience.
- Actively include all attendees in social gatherings (such as post-conference dinners and social events), particularly those for whom English is not a first-language and junior students.
Examples of unacceptable behaviour in person and online includes, but is not limited to:
- Verbal communication (public or private) that demeans, devalues or is derogatory towards ones gender, sexuality, physical appearance, body size, class, appearance, race, religion, language, age, ability, and/or socio-economic status.
- Not using content warnings when discussing content that may be harmful or offensive, such as graphic discussions or depictions of hate speech or sexual violence.
- Display of sexually demeaning imagery in public spaces. (Sexual imagery can be acceptable provided it is clearly contextualized as critical work and explicit forewarning is provided, but such imagery should not be offensive or demeaning to any of the identificatory attributes listed above).
- Bullying, stalking, following and other such intimidating behaviour.
- Photography or recording without consent.
- Explicit mentioning of individuals on open social media using the official event hashtag without their consent (see also official Twitter policy below).
- Disrupting or hijacking conversations (during talks, in question times or in general discussion).
- Inappropriate non-consensual physical contact.
- Unwelcome attention of any kind.
- Advocating for, or encouraging, any of the above behaviours.
- We recognise that the above list is not all-encompassing, and it is thus crucial that all DiGRA participants should be considerate, mindful and respectful of other participant’s safety, and refer any concerns to the conference committee.
DiGRAA 2023 aims to be a gender inclusive space. As such, we encourage all attendees not to presume folk’s chosen pronouns, or that they use pronouns, and name-badges will have a space where attendees can declare their preferred pronouns if they wish. We encourage all attendees – even those who do not worry about being misgendered – to add their preferred pronouns to their name-badge. The venue for DiGRAA 2023 will also have gender-neutral bathrooms.
DiGRAA 2023 is also continuing our policy on Twitter usage. Panel chairs will identify each individual speakers preference regarding how they want the audience to tweet about their talk, if at all (this includes the use of photos, directly tagging presenters in tweets, etcetera). Any violations of a presenters wishes must immediately be deleted when brought to the offenders attention. Attendees are also required not to use potentially harmful hashtags and terms on official event hashtags.
DiGRAA 2023 is also aware that parent-researchers often face inequitable hurdles to participating fully in academic conferences. While the conference venue itself does not offer parent rooms, we have booked additional rooms for parents and their children. These rooms will be indicated on the day.
We further note that the DiGRAA 2023 conference venue is entirely wheelchair accessible, with ramp-access to the ground floor and lift access to all levels.
Enforcement
Participants asked to stop any harassing or harmful behaviour are expected to comply immediately or they will be required to leave the space.
In the case of repeated offending behaviour, DiGRA will take any action deemed appropriate to resolve the situation and make the space welcoming. Examples of such action include: verbal warnings, written warnings, temporary or permanent barring from DiGRA events and online spaces.
If you feel that someone is making you or the space feel uncomfortable, if you see that someone else is being made to feel unsafe, or if you have any other concerns, please contact the organizers. You may do this in person (staff will be identified at the opening sessions) or via email to Mahli-Ann Butt <mahliann.butt@unimelb.edu.au> or Malcolm Ryan<malcolm.ryan@mq.edu.au>. Our representatives will be happy to assist you with action, the provision of security or appropriate next steps.
DiGRAA23 Version 1, updated 19/01/2023 (modified from DiGRAA19 Version 1, updated 02/11/2019 by Mahil-Ann Butt and Marcus Carter).
Acknowledgements
These policies and initiatives are inspired and motivated by several excellent organisations that have established similar policies before DiGRA, in particular ReFIG, as well as Different Games and AOIR. Further thanks to the DiGRA Diversity Committee and Emily Flynn-Jones for their recommendations for initiatives to introduce at DiGRA 2017, which were continued at DiGRAA 2019 by Mahli-Ann Butt and Marcus Carter, and now DiGRAA 2023, where the policy has gone unchanged. We also thank the Canadian Game Studies Association, from whom we have borrowed several great ideas for ensuring an inclusive conference.