Applied Neuroscience Association (ANA) Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct (ANA CODE)

ANA CODE

ANA maintains and promotes the ANA Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct (ANA CODE).

ANA CODE is intended as a guidance document setting out registered members’ code of ethical and professional conduct, including a commitment to continual professional development (CPD).

ANA CODE is not legally binding and does not cover every potential ethical or professional nuance, such as translation to local laws. Any such local nuances will not contradict the essence of ANA CODE.

Responsibility for adherence to the ANA CODE is devolved from ANA to ANA members upon registration.

Continual Professional Development

Full members and Academic/Researcher member registrants commit to the following five standards for continual professional development (CPD) in their chosen field of neuroscience:

1. Registrants will continuously and consistently maintain a precise, current, and truthful record of CPD;
2. The record of CPD will support proof of CPD activities which can be readily submitted where requested by ANA;
3. Registrants will actively strive for their CPD activities to positively impact the quality of their professional performance;
4. Registrants will actively strive for their CPD efforts to be ethical and professional with the ultimate aim of benefiting the recipients of their services;
5. Registrants will be able to show that their CPD encompasses a diverse array of learning activities that are pertinent to both their present and prospective professional practice:

• Professional Engagement (e.g., working in a professional organisation such as providing mentorship);
• Academic and Educational Pursuits (e.g., composing articles or papers, pursuing further education);
• Practical Learning (e.g., reflective practices such as ethical considerations and critical reflection on experiences and learning, research projects or networking; guiding and overseeing staff or student(s);
• Independent Learning (e.g., perusing relevant scholarly journals, critical evaluation of scholarly books and articles)
• Miscellaneous Contributions (e.g., voluntary work, public service)

Ethical and Professional Conduct

All ANA members commit to the following ethical and professional standards:

Accurately advertising and presenting services, including a clear policy for client data protection and storage, an accessible complaints policy and relevant business insurance;

Maintaining professional and cultural respect and integrity (legal, decent, truthful and honest), such as when discussing the opinions and findings of others or faced with bribery or corruption;

Awareness of relevant statutory requirements in the countries in which practising, such as safeguarding practises if working with children or vulnerable adults;

Taking all reasonable precautions to protect ANA service users from harm, always demonstrating a concern for individual’s rights, safety, health, and dignity;

Providing relevant services with the intent to help improve or alleviate discrimination based on race, ethnicity, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, disability, social or religious affiliation;

Ensuring facts concerning individuals or organisations are accurate and verifiable and any sources used are evidence-based, assuming responsibility for the accuracy and fairness of presented information and disclosing any proprietary interests;

Ensuring any copyright and credits are given where due for any speaking engagements or published content on behalf of ANA, and where required seek specific written permission for publishing access;

Moderating any user-generated content that is legal and fit to share (no graphic content such as sexually explicit material or violence, hate speech, trolling, spam, harassing);

Protecting the confidential nature of information gained in professional relationships, except as otherwise required by law;

Fostering intellectual freedom through open discussion of theories and factual findings, conducive to promoting equity, diversity, inclusivity and expression of ideas, free of harassment and discrimination;

Maintaining appropriate autonomy and self-regulation, including safety and responsibility for other members in the context of supporting a friendly, safe and welcoming experience for all members.

ANA Complaints Policy

Any complaints that relate to another registered member should be taken up directly with that individual or organisation;

Where this approach fails, the ANA Complaints Policy can be applied if there is reasonable cause to believe that they are acting in an unethical or unprofessional manner.

Unethical or unprofessional manners may relate, for example, to proven harassment through the use of language, gestures, expressions, actions (threats or demands), inappropriate materials and/or approaches directed or used in a way that intimidates or is hostile, bullying, or offensive.

Members accept that any breach of the ANA CODE that is upheld in the ANA Complaints Policy may result in disciplinary sanctions, including loss of ANA accredited status and/or membership.

ANA Commitment to Lawful Practice

ANA strictly adheres to the Data Protection Act 2016 when it comes to the collection, use, sharing, transfer, or storage of personal data, operating under the umbrella of ‘legitimate interest’.

Unauthorised access to ANA’s computer systems would likely be deemed illegal under the Computer Misuse Act (1990) and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003.

For any moderated user-generated or other content on ANA platforms, members are required to conform to the ANA CODE, ANA Terms of Use, ANA Privacy Policy, and any pertinent external Codes of Practice, such as those outlined by Creative Commons and the Advertising Standards Authority.

Modern Slavery legislation underscores the importance of safeguarding others and preventing violations of their human rights.

ANA practices are rooted in the principles of the Equality Act 2010, which provides guidance on fairness, inclusivity, accuracy, transparency, and confidentiality while maintaining an impartial stance.

ANA relies on the Company’s Act, 2006 for its legal framework as a non-profit and jurisdiction under English law.

Version 6: 15^th October, 2023