SEG is committed to the highest standards of integrity and professional conduct. This page outlines the fundamental principles that guide our members’ actions—from daily professional practice to our interactions at global meetings and events. Together, these codes ensure a respectful, ethical, and inclusive environment for the entire geophysics community.
Codes of Conduct
Meetings Code of Conduct
SEG meetings are conducted for the benefit of SEG members and interested parties to advance the geosciences, promote technology, and facilitate networking and collaboration between professionals within the world’s geosciences community.
SEG is dedicated to providing a harassment-free meeting experience for everyone, regardless of gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, nationality, or religion. We do not tolerate harassment of workshop participants in any form.
- All communication, whether casual or formal, should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds.
- Be careful with the words that you choose. Remember that sexist, racist, and other exclusionary jokes can be offensive to those around you. Excessive swearing and offensive jokes are not appropriate at SEG meetings.
- Sexual language and imagery are not appropriate for any meeting venue, including talks.
- Harassment includes offensive communication related to gender, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, race, nationality, religion, sexual images in public spaces, deliberate intimidation, stalking, following, harassing photography or recording, sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, and unwelcome sexual attention.
- Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other attendees. Behave professionally.
- If a participant engages in behavior that violates this code of conduct, SEG reserves the right to take any action deemed appropriate, including warning the offender(s) or expelling the offender(s) from the meeting with no refund.
Reporting
If someone makes you or anyone else feel unsafe or unwelcome, please report the incident to a meeting staff member as soon as possible.
You can document the incident in the following ways:
- Use the SEG Harassment Complaint Form.
- Report the incident anonymously by phone at 1-877-778-5463
- Report anonymously online at www.reportit.net (username: seg; password: whistle).
Responsibilities of SEG Leadership
The Society of Exploration Geophysicists (SEG) strives to uphold strong ethical and professional standards in every aspect of its operations. All members of SEG leadership must place the interests of SEG above personal interests when acting in service to the Society.
SEG expects its leaders to conduct themselves ethically and respectfully, and to interact with each other, SEG members, and external stakeholders with professionalism, transparency, and integrity. The Leadership Code of Conduct elaborates on standards that go beyond the expectations outlined in the general SEG Code of Ethics.
The Leadership Code of Conduct applies to:
- SEG Board of Directors
- SEG Council
- Chairs and leaders of committees and other SEG components
Alleged violations are addressed in accordance with SEG Bylaws and SEG Policies and Procedures.
Members of SEG leadership are expected to uphold the Purpose and Objectives of SEG as outlined in the Bylaws. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
- Loyalty and Avoidance of Conflicts of Interest Act in the best interest of SEG and avoid conflicts whenever possible.
- Stewardship of Resources Use SEG financial and organizational resources responsibly.
- Ethical Example Serve as a model of ethical and moral behavior for the membership.
- Respectful Interactions Treat colleagues, SEG members, and staff with professional respect.
- Accuracy in Representation Avoid making public statements that could be interpreted as the official position of SEG unless explicitly authorized.
- Confidentiality Do not disclose confidential information obtained through leadership service.
- Governance Familiarity Maintain working knowledge of SEG governance documents and procedures.
- Duty of Care Prepare for and attend meetings regularly and punctually.
- Legal and Ethical Compliance Avoid and report any unethical or unlawful activities that could harm SEG.
Additional Responsibilities of the Board of Directors
Board members have unique obligations to ensure SEG’s credibility and effective governance. These include:
- Acting in a manner that upholds the integrity of the Board.
- Avoiding improper personal gain from Board-related information.
- Speaking on behalf of SEG only when formally authorized.
- Fulfilling fiduciary, governance, and oversight responsibilities as outlined in SEG policies.
- Making an annual monetary contribution—of any amount—to the SEG Foundation (ensuring 100% Board participation).
- Reviewing and agreeing to abide by all applicable policies annually (e.g., Code of Conduct, Conflict of Interest, Anti-Harassment Policy, Social Media Policy).
All leaders must promptly report any violations of this Code or applicable laws and regulations.
Codes of Conduct
Overview
Article III, Section 2 of the SEG Bylaws states that “Membership of any class shall be contingent upon conformance with the established principles of professional ethics approved by the Board of Directors.”
These principles guide the professional conduct of geophysicists and ensure the dignity, integrity, and trustworthiness of the profession.
Professional Ethical Principles
As a geophysicist, you commit to:
- Fidelity and Honor Maintain loyalty to clients and employers and uphold personal integrity.
- Confidentiality Protect sensitive information concerning business affairs, data, and processes when confidentiality is required.
- Transparency Disclose any affiliations or interests that could influence your judgment.
- Single Source Compensation Accept compensation from only one source per service unless all parties consent.
- Reputation and Alignment Avoid association with enterprises of questionable character.
- Ethical Promotion Advertise professionally and avoid improper solicitation of work.
- Fair Professional Conduct Refrain from harming another geophysicist’s reputation or opportunities through unfair means.
- Contribution to the Profession Support professional growth through knowledge sharing, mentorship, and involvement in the technical community.
- Public Responsibility Apply your professional knowledge for the benefit of public welfare and humanity.