Code of Conduct
Every person is welcome at Prototype Fund. We especially want to give people of color, women, queer people, people with disabilities, and people from non-academic backgrounds the space they deserve. We do not tolerate sexist, trans*phobic, queerphobic, racist, ableist, classist, and other discriminatory behavior.
Be considerate of one another.
You have the right to be treated fairly. No one has the right to threaten you, blackmail you, insult you, treat you in a derogatory manner, verbally attack you, or hurt you. You alone can determine your own limits, no one else. If you are unsure of another person’s boundaries, ask.
You have the right to decide how close people may be to you, and to define when, how, and where. Nobody is allowedto touch you against your will.
You have the right to say NO and to resist when someone oversteps your boundaries, hurts yours or someone else’s feelings. You can say NO with facial expressions, words, or body language. Even if you said YES before.
Be aware that people from different cultures have different ways of expressing their boundaries and needs. NO can be expressed in different ways. Do your best to understand other people‘s signals.
At events, during your funding time, or within the wider Prototype Fund community, we share responsibility for respectful interactions. Make an effort to communicate in a mature, kind, and professional manner.
You have the right to seek support for yourself and others. If you need help, contact a Prototype Fund team member you trust.
What happens when you report something to us?
First of all, we will want to talk with you to find out what happened in order to decide what the next steps are. We treat all reports confidentially.
After that, we will discuss the next step within the team, and we will inform you about it as early as possible: This step can range from a clarifying conversation to the exclusion of the person. It is important to us that the Prototype Fund is a safe space or that it can become one again.
Sometimes the people who violate the Code of Conduct are not aware that their behavior is harmful. An open conversation can clarify things and help to move forward. If the person fails to engage appropriately or persists in their behavior, the team may take any action it deems appropriate, up to and including the expulsion from all Prototype Fund spaces and communication channels.