This policy was last updated on 23.08.2025.
OVERVIEW
At IAFOR, we value openness about our stance on key issues and work closely with the academic community we serve to shape policies that provide clarity and direction in how we operate. Our policies cover:
1. Appeals Policy
2. Complaints Policy
3. Abstract Content Review Policy
4. Data Protection Policy
5. Equal Opportunity Charter
6. Ethical Conduct & Malpractice Policy
7. Reasonable Adjustments Policy
8. Evaluation Form
9. Reflective Practice Form
10. Public Liability Insurance Policy
11. Responsible Marketing Procedure
12. Open Access Policy
13. User License and Copyright Policy
14. Policy on the Use of Generative AI and AI-assisted Technologies
15. Safeguarding Learners Policy
15. Code of Conduct
1. Appeals Policy
Authors and event attendees have the right to appeal decisions regarding participation or certification. Appeals must be submitted in writing to [email protected] within 14 working days of the decision, and IAFOR will respond within 30 working days.
2. Complaints Policy
IAFOR addresses all complaints fairly and promptly. Complaints should be submitted in writing to [email protected] and will be acknowledged within 7 working days, with a resolution provided within 30 working days.
3. Abstract Content Review Policy
IAFOR is committed to ensuring a fair and timely peer review process in keeping with established international norms of double-blind peer review.
When abstracts are submitted, they are immediately reviewed in-house to see if they conform to accepted academic norms and to screen out incomplete, out-of-scope, poorly written, or time-wasting submissions.
All abstracts that have passed this initial screening are then double-blind peer reviewed through the online system before a final review by the Conference Programme Committee.
Authors are usually informed of acceptance or rejection within four weeks of abstract submission. Accepted authors will receive an email notifying them of the results, as well as an official Letter of Acceptance as a PDF.
See https://submit.iafor.org/abstract-review-process/ for our full process.
4. Data Protection Policy
All data obtained by The International Academic Forum (IAFOR) is held and used in compliance with Japanese Law under the auspices of the Act on the Protection of Personal Information Act No. 57 (2003). See https://iafor.org/about/privacy-policy/ for IAFOR’s full privacy policy.
5. Equal Opportunity Charter
IAFOR is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion across all our conferences, publications, and activities. Guided by our core values — International, Intercultural, Interdisciplinary, and Internationality — we work to ensure that every participant feels respected, valued, and able to contribute fully.
We welcome people of all backgrounds regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marital or parental status, nationality, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, or socio-economic status.
6. Ethical Conduct & Malpractice Policy
IAFOR has a zero-tolerance approach to malpractice such as data falsification and plagiarism. Reports of malpractice will be investigated, and appropriate actions will be taken.
IAFOR considers any form of plagiarism unacceptable. IAFOR follows guidelines from the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) in relation to conference submissions and publications. Papers that contain redundant publication (reusing one's own writing verbatim or in a substantially similar form) or plagiarism (using another author's writing without attribution) will be rejected without further review, and additional action will be taken as appropriate. To verify compliance, submissions may be checked by Crossref Similarity Check and other originality or duplicate checking software.
7. Reasonable Adjustments Policy
IAFOR is committed to ensuring that our events are accessible, inclusive, and welcoming to all participants. We will make reasonable adjustments to remove barriers that may prevent delegates, speakers, or staff with disabilities or additional needs from fully participating in an event.
We will treat all conversations with sensitivity, confidentiality and on a case-by-case basis. We will listen to a delegate’s needs and make every effort to meet requests for adjustments when it’s reasonable to do so. Where we are unable to meet a request, we will explain why.
Delegates are encouraged to inform us of any requirements at the time of registration, or as soon as possible before the event.
Adjustments may include, but are not limited to:
- Step-free access and accessible seating arrangements.
- Reserved seating for those with mobility or sensory needs.
- Closed captioning on video and live-stream broadcasts.
- Accessible event materials in alternative formats (e.g., digital and audio).
- Dietary accommodations for medical or religious requirements.
- Assistance for delegates accompanied by carers or support workers.
8. Evaluation Form
We invite event attendees to complete an evaluation form to provide feedback, helping us improve the quality and organisation of future events, conferences, seminars, and workshops. Feedback plays a vital role in shaping the future of IAFOR conferences. Guided by the Japanese principle of 'kaizen' — a commitment to continuous, incremental improvement — we strive to enhance the delegate experience. Survey results are published in Conference Reports and Intelligence Briefings.
9. Reflective Practice Form
Attendees are encouraged to use the reflective practice form to assess their learning outcomes, how they will apply the knowledge, and its impact on professional development.
10. Public Liability Insurance Policy
IAFOR conferences are covered by public liability insurance to protect against injury or damage claims. Policy details are available upon request.
11. Responsible Marketing Procedure
Our marketing practices adhere to ethical standards, ensuring that all promotional content is transparent, accurate, and respects data protection regulations. IAFOR is committed to conducting all marketing responsibly, fairly, and transparently.
IAFOR will:
- Ensure our marketing is honest and accurate.
- Represent our services fairly without exaggeration.
- Comply with all relevant laws and standards.
- Respect privacy and data protection rights as outlined in our privacy policy.
- Promote IAFOR's core values of fostering internationalism, intercultural understanding, and interdisciplinarity.
- Avoid practices that are exploitative, discriminatory, or offensive.
IAFOR’s marketing practices are regularly reviewed to ensure compliance with legal, ethical, and best practice standards.
12. Open Access Policy
IAFOR believes in Open Access publishing, and since 2009, has been committed to maintaining an online searchable research archive that offers free access to anyone, anywhere, where there is Internet access, regardless of institutional affiliation or scholarly rank. IAFOR publications are accessible on the website (Open Access) to researchers all over the world, completely free of charge and without delay or embargo. Authors and contributors are not required to pay charges of any sort towards the publication of IAFOR journals.
13. User License and Copyright Policy
Abstracts, research papers, and video footage are published under an IAFOR user license and are protected by copyright. Users may access, download, copy, translate, text and data mine, redistribute, display or adapt the articles for non-commercial purposes provided that users follow the guidelines set out in the IAFOR User License.
Journals and other forms of print and digital media will be made available by IAFOR to the general public on an online, Open Access basis. By publishing their work with IAFOR, authors enter into an exclusive License Agreement, where they have copyright but license exclusive rights in their article to IAFOR as the publisher.
14. Policy on the Use of Generative AI and AI-assisted Technologies
IAFOR follows Elsevier's AI author policy for use of generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in writing. Authors are allowed to use generative AI and AI-assisted technologies in the writing process before submission, but only to improve the language and readability of their paper and with the appropriate disclosure. This does not apply to the use of basic tools for checking grammar, spelling, references etc.
15. Safeguarding Learners Policy
IAFOR is dedicated to providing a safe, friendly, enjoyable, and harassment-free event experience for everyone, regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, nationality, race, age, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment or offensive behaviour towards conference participants in any form.
IAFOR expects all delegates at IAFOR events to abide by its Code of Conduct, whether online or onsite, including related side-events, online communication, and social media.
16. Code of Conduct
IAFOR is dedicated to providing a safe, friendly, and enjoyable event experience for all participants. We welcome individuals of every background, including different genders and identities, sexual orientations, disabilities, body types, nationalities, races, ages, and religions. Harassment or offensive behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated.
Our events are designed to foster meaningful conversations across the global higher education sector and beyond, and we are committed to creating an atmosphere of professionalism, inclusivity, and respect. We believe that every attendee should feel both intellectually engaged and secure in their surroundings. This Code of Conduct reflects our commitment to ensuring that all members of our community feel welcome and supported.
To ensure a safe, respectful, and professional environment, all participants are expected to follow these guidelines:
Prohibited Conduct
- Harassment, intimidation, threatening behaviour, or discrimination of any kind, including but not limited to race, gender, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, disability, physical appearance, veteran/military status, marital/partner status, parental status, age, or sexual orientation.
- Sexual harassment or intimidation, including unwelcome sexual attention, inappropriate images or language, stalking (physical or virtual), and unsolicited physical contact.
- Physical violence, yelling, or other aggressive behaviour.
- Disruption of presentations, sessions, or other conference activities.
- Unauthorised recording, copying, or sharing of presentations, images, chats, demonstrations, or other event content, whether in-person or virtual.
- Use of presentations, messages, or chat spaces to share promotional materials, job offers, service solicitations, or product announcements.
- Spamming or inappropriate messaging.
- Possession or use of illegal substances or weapons.
Expected Conduct
- Be kind, considerate, and respectful towards others.
- Conduct yourself professionally at all times.
- Ensure communication is appropriate for a diverse, international audience.
- Speakers should avoid potentially offensive content; if essential to a presentation, provide advance warning and allow the audience to leave.
- If it is safe, calmly ask someone to stop unwelcome or harassing behaviour.
Reporting an Incident
If you witness or are subjected to inappropriate behavior, please contact the Conference Manager during or after the event using the reporting form available at this link:
IAFOR Events Conduct Report
If you prefer not to fill out the form, you may contact the Conference Manager directly at [email protected].
Investigating an Incident
IAFOR is committed to ensuring a safe and respectful environment at all events. All reported incidents will be investigated with discretion and confidentiality, and all parties will be treated fairly and reasonably.
Individuals asked to stop engaging in hostile or harassing behaviour are expected to comply immediately. IAFOR reserves the right to take any action deemed necessary and appropriate, including immediate removal from an in-person or virtual event without warning or refund, and prohibition from attending future events.
Conference participants found to violate these rules may also be reported to their employer and relevant authorities.