BREAD Code of Conduct
October 2024
Standards of Professional Behavior
The principal aim of the Bureau for Research and Economic Analysis of Development (BREAD) is to promote the study of development economics, which it strives to achieve by supporting its members and others involved in this field of research. This requires a culture in which all professional activities, including research, education, advice and communication more generally, are undertaken collegially, ethically and with integrity.
BREAD expects its members to adhere to the high professional standards that this requires and to encourage others associated with the discipline to do so. Economists have both an individual responsibility for their own conduct and a collective responsibility to promote high standards of conduct across the profession. BREAD will strive to promote and support this professional culture through its actions and activities.
BREAD seeks a professional environment that gives equal opportunity and fair treatment for all, regardless of gender, ethnicity, age or other personal characteristics, political views, status, affiliations or relationships. Students at all levels should be treated fairly and courteously. Discourse in all forums should be conducted in a civil manner, with each idea or contribution considered on its merits. Under no circumstances will bullying or harassment of any kind be tolerated. Any real or perceived conflicts of interest should be disclosed in all activities.
Scope
The BREAD Code of Conduct (CoC) applies to all individuals involved as members or non-members taking part in any BREAD activities. This includes conferences, pre-conference meetings, committee meetings and taught courses, and communications around those activities.
If a BREAD member loses their status as a university member due to some other CoC violation, this would normally lead to termination of BREAD membership.
Complaints
BREAD has adopted a Complaints Policy in relation to alleged violations of this Code of Conduct. Complaints can be made to any current member of the Executive Committee or current president(s). All complaints will follow the same procedure. The complainant will first be informed that the leadership member they brought the complaint to cannot guarantee confidentiality if the complainant asks BREAD to start the procedure. If, once thus informed, the complainant decides to bring the complaint forward, the complaint will be reviewed by the co-presidents (or by two Past Presidents if the complaint is made against a member of the Executive Committee). Complaints which fall within scope and are deemed to be Serious Complaints can result in the imposition of sanctions against an individual found to have breached the Code of Conduct. Serious Complaints involve situations where breaches involve one or more of the following, and have substantial potential effect(s) on the victim(s): (i) discrimination on the basis of gender, ethnicity, age or other personal characteristics, political views, status, affiliations or relationships; (ii) bullying, harassment or retaliation; (iii) significant reputational or material damage to BREAD; (v) failure to meet high professional standards in other respects and contexts.
Sanctions
If a Serious Complaint is upheld, actions taken by BREAD may include, but are not limited to:
- Providing guidance on appropriate behavior to the Respondent (the person found to have breached the Code).
- A letter of reprimand to the Respondent.
- Suspension of the Respondent’s BREAD membership for a specified period or permanently.
- A ban on the Respondent attending BREAD events for a specified period of time or permanently.
- Revocation of the right of the Respondent to hold any BREAD membership or office or play a role as a committee or sub-committee member for a specified period or permanently, where the Executive Committee has the authority to do so.
In addition, in cases with substantial public information regarding serious alleged violations, BREAD may take temporary actions to, for example, suspend an Office (president, EC member) or revoke the right to hold any office in the organization / play a role as a committee member pending the conclusion of an investigation.