NAFEW 2026

Conduct and Inclusive Learning

Code of Conduct

Acheiving NAFEW’s mission of bringing “researchers, academicians, and managers together to foster dialogue and discussion of current issues related to basic and applied research in forested ecosystems in North America” requires a safe, professional, and respectful learning environment.

We expect all attendees to review and adhere to the code of coduct below. Please reach out to the registration desk if you have any issues or need to report a concern.

  • All presenters and attendees will
    • conduct themselves in a civil and dignified manner;
    • act professionally and respectfully toward one another;
    • respect the needs, contributions, and viewpoints of others; and
    • give due credit to others for their methods, ideas, or assistance.
  • The following behaviors are prohibited
    • abusive language, harassment, or any form of discrimination against another attendee;
    • actual or threatened violence toward any individual or group; and
    • conduct endangering the life, safety, health or well-being of others.

Inclusive Learning: Resources for Presenters

Presenters play an important role in making sure that all attendees feel welcome, safe, and valued. The information and resources below are helpful for creating presentations that are inclusive, accessible, and avoid demeaning or discriminatory materials and speech.

Tips to Develop Clear and Accessible Presentations

  • Use large (at least 24 point), simple, san serif fonts (e.g., Arial, Verdana, Helvetica).
  • Use background and text colors that are high in contrast and avoid combinations difficult for people who are color blind to read. Do not use color as the only method for distinguishing information.
  • Make sure that backgrounds are not cluttered and leave plenty of “white space” in the background.
  • Use large images.
  • Simplify graphs and charts when possible.
  • Present your content in a well-organized manner; allow flexibility to adjust to your audience as appropriate.
  • Use clear, simple language and keywords and phrases rather than full sentences on slides.
  • Spell out abbreviations and acronyms when first used and avoid using too many.

Above bullets by Sheryl Bugstahler, Equal Access: Universal Design of Your Presentation

Tips for Inclusion

  • Remember your audience includes individuals of varying gender, sexual orientation, abilities, physical appearance, body size, race, religion, age, national origin, and socio-economic status.
  • Ask yourself or a colleague if any of the images, words, or examples in your presentation might be perceived as hurtful or derogatory. When in doubt, take it out.
  • Acknowledge and celebrate the value that diversity brings (rather than ignoring or denying our differences).
  • Use people-centric language (e.g., person with a disability).
  • Include images of people representing different ages, sexes, and cultural backgrounds.
  • Visual aids should be evaluated in terms of the wording and pictures they use, and analogies they convey.
  • Avoid stereotypes in your examples, stories, and images.
  • Use gender-neutral words and terms (e.g., chair instead of chairman). For a list of examples, click here.
  • Ask for pronouns during introductions or use gender-neutral pronouns (e.g., they, them, their).
  • Capitalize racial, ethnic, and cultural terms (e.g., Black, Native American or Tribal Nation, Latinx, Indigenous, Aboriginal, and others).

Additional Resources