Applied Neuroscience Association (ANA) Code of Ethics & Professional Conduct (ANA CODE)
ANA is committed to establishing, maintaining, and promoting an overarching code of ethics and professional conduct (ANA CODE) in the emerging profession of applied neuroscience. We pride ourselves on the high standards and competence of our members. ANA’s reputation, and the reputation of our members, depend on these standards being maintained.
ANA CODE is intended as a guidance document setting out how registered members are expected to act, behave and perform when working on behalf of, or representing ANA and when interacting with fellow practitioners, ANA partners, sponsors, stakeholders and other professionals or clients.
ANA CODE is not legally binding and does not cover every potential ethical nuance, such as relating to diversity of practice and local contexts and laws. Any such nuances will not contradict the essence of the ANA CODE.
The terms ‘professional’ and ‘profession’ used in the ANA CODE are being used for activities that are not under statutory regulation but are being increasingly self-regulated in a field of science that is becoming increasingly professionalised and supported by digital and medical technologies.
In joining and registering as a member of the global ANA Community, and in renewing your registration, you are agreeing to the following ANA CODE:
ANA CODE
Best Practice
- Promote best practices in applied neuroscience, underpinning professional and ethical standards
- Actively dispel neuromyths, and counteract bias by engaging a qualified registered global Community for delivering neuroscience-based mentorship, speaking, publishing, and podcasting;
- Implement continual professional development, such as events and initiatives as a means of promoting and advancing the profession of applied neuroscience, including maintaining an ANA annual Calendar of Events and Special Interest Groups (SIGs);
- Establish an ANA Directory where members are discoverable peer-to-peer and public and industry-facing;
- Curate over time centralised resources including a library of ANA members’ work and sign-posts to ANA Partners and other key figures and research in applied neuroscience;
- Actively develop and encourage the advancement of the education, practice, mentoring and support of applied neuroscientists;
- Apply thought leadership by collaborating with educational and research institutions, industry and policymakers in advocacy;
- Engage relevant representatives as ANA Advisors and Non-executive Independent Directors within the profession of applied neuroscience, academia and industry, for ethical and business guidance including policy-making;
- Partner or collaborate with relevant institutions, societies, bodies or associations with similar objectives for the development and exchange of ideas/information in developing the practice of applied neuroscience;
- Provide networking and mentoring opportunities to promote careers and altimetric requirements, including for student members of underrepresented groups;
- Maintain a website and register all categories of members within ANA and publish member updates (Newsletters) on the website and through relevant social communication channels as appropriate.
ANA CODE
Member Declaration
ANA Members shall demonstrate adherence to the ANA CODE by acting in the best interests of ANA and in the furtherance of the applied neuroscience profession through:
Leading by example on ethical principles and practises, endeavouring to stay up to date with the latest emerging research and networking within the professional field;
Maintaining continual professional development and accurately stating professional credentials, skills, and knowledge and responsibly acting only within professional competencies;
Accurately advertising and presenting services, including a clear policy for client data protection and storage, and accessible complaints policy and relevant business insurance;
Maintaining professional and cultural respect and integrity, especially when discussing the opinions and findings of others;
Taking all reasonable precautions to protect ANA service users from harm, always demonstrating a concern for rights, safety, health, welfare, and dignity;
Disclosing any conflict of interest openly and transparently and acting within the application of the Company’s Act, 2006.
Not in any way encouraging, assisting or colluding in conduct that is dishonest, unlawful, unprofessional, unjust, or knowingly discriminatory;
Providing relevant services with the intent to help improve or alleviate discrimination on the basis of race, creed, age, gender, sexual orientation, national origin, social or religious affiliation;
Ensuring facts concerning individuals or organisations are accurate and verifiable and views or opinions must not be portrayed in any way that would damage reputations;
Ensuring publishing access, copyright and credits are provided where due for any published materials on ANA platforms;
Moderating 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), or violating standards according to ANA CODE;
Protecting the confidential nature of information gained in professional relationships, except as otherwise required by law;
Supporting intellectual freedom through open discussion of theories and factual findings, conducive to promoting equity, diversity and inclusivity in the interests of all members;
Maintaining appropriate autonomy and self-regulation, including safety and responsibility for member’s own actions, and physical and mental health;
Assuring the ANA Platform remains a friendly, safe and welcoming space, open to diversity and respect and free from discrimination.
ANA CODE
Ethical Framework
ANA registered members also agree to abide by the principles as set out below:
Lawful Practice
It is up to ANA members to be aware of relevant statutory requirements in the countries in which they are practising, including safeguarding and modern slavery legislation and if working with children or vulnerable adults.
Any complaints that relate to another registered member should be taken directly to that individual organisation, ahead of challenging via the ANA Complaints Policy if there is reasonable cause to believe that they are acting in an unethical manner.
Members accept that any breach of the ANA CODE that is upheld in the ANA Complaints Procedure may result in disciplinary sanctions, including loss of ANA accredited status and/or professional body membership or standing down;
ANA uses only responsible means under the Data Protection Act 2016 to access, collect, use, share, transfer or store the personal data of others and uses personal data solely for legitimate interest and legitimate business.
ANA commits to maintaining appropriate records and seeking consent for registering members. Aligning legitimate interest with the collecting and processing of personal data, and legal ethics with financial reporting conduct as a non-profit organisation.
Any offender or material that incites encourages or enables others to gain unauthorised access to ANA’s computer system would likely be found to be illegal under the Computer Misuse Act (1990) and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations 2003
In moderating user-generated or other content for ANA social platforms, ANA Members must comply with the ANA CODE, as well as the ANA Terms of Use, and ANA Privacy Policy, and any relevant external Codes of Practice such as Creative Commons copyright licensing or the Advertising Standards Authority which requires that all advertisements should be “legal, decent, truthful and honest”.
ANA does not tolerate bribery or corruption, regardless of where members are located or operating in the world. Gifts and hospitality must be given and received in a responsible manner and may never be used to influence.
Quality and Safety
ANA recognises a shared responsibility to create and maintain a safe environment for the benefit of all members. Strengthened by the right to speak up via ethics@appliedneuroscienceassociation.com to be used for promptly raising any ethics or compliance questions or concerns in good faith, and providing full cooperation where required.
The wider ANA Network and all registered members in the global ANA Community are expected to report any suspected lack of ethical safety promptly and never retaliate against anyone who raises any such concern in good faith.
ANA takes ethics investigations seriously and takes all reasonable efforts to keep information related to an investigation confidential. Any investigations and any resulting corrective action will be conducted in compliance with applicable ANA policies.
Safety may also refer to the violation of another’s human rights, which can include harassment through the use of language, gestures, expressions, actions (threats or demands), inappropriate materials and/or approaches directed or used in a way that clearly intimidates or is hostile, bullying, offensive, including unwanted advances or comments.
Competencies in quality of training, education, knowledge, skills and experience are respected at all levels with honesty and accuracy are expected in representing professional qualifications and affiliations upon joining ANA and upon renewal.
Members’ responsibilities and obligations are self-regulating, applying good judgement in the use of rigorous science-informed sources in research, and following ethically responsible conduct, including safety and responsibility for your own actions and health. Also, in relation to any conflict of interest that might impair, or appear to impair, the interests of ANA and ANA members.
As an author and/or speaker for ANA you will (1) guarantee the originality of any authored papers or presentations, (2) give credit to others for their works, (3) assume responsibility for the accuracy and fairness of presented information, (4) where required use data of others with specific written permission, and (5) disclose any proprietary interests related to professional papers or presentations.
Diversity and Respect
ANA is committed to providing a safe platform that fosters open dialogue, fair treatment, and the expression of ideas, free of harassment and discrimination.
ANA’s lawful practice looks to the Equality Act 2010 for guidance on fairness, inclusivity, accuracy, transparency, and confidentiality, without prejudice.
The wider ANA Network and registered members respect every individual and their differences, such as culture, education, disability, age, race, ethnicity, gender, language, sexual orientation, health status, and industry role (this is not an exhaustive list).
Other ANA members may challenge another member using the ANA Complaints Procedure if they have reasonable cause to believe this is not being adhered to.
