Code of Conduct

Museum Development Midlands (MDM) is committed to providing a safe space at all events and within all our networks, cohorts, and online communities.

By booking a place on an MDM event or joining one of our online spaces, you agree to abide by our Code of Conduct. MDM reserves the right to remove anyone who does not comply with this Code of Conduct from the event or group.

If you experience or witness any behaviour that violates the Code of Conduct, please contact the MDM team as soon as possible.

Expectations for Participation

We ask that all delegates at in-person events, online events, within networks, cohorts and in online groups:

• Attend as a representative of their organisation or freelance practice

• Are respectful of all other delegates, speakers, and event staff

• Use positive, constructive language to ask questions or make comments

• Consider the privacy of others by not sharing, recording, or photographing people, personal information or content without the consent of the person/originator

• Carefully consider the information they share about themselves and their organisation

• Handle any disagreements calmly and constructively, if they arise

Online Meetings and Events

For events hosted on platforms such as Zoom, Microsoft Teams, or similar online meeting services, we ask that delegates:

• Ensure their display name includes their full name and organisation; delegates may also choose to include their pronouns

• Stay muted when not speaking to minimise background noise

• Choose whether or not to have their camera on; if using your camera, please consider what or who else may be visible in the room

Online Groups & Communities

In all online groups and communities, we ask that participants: 

• Stay on topic — discussions should relate to the focus of the group or cohort (e.g. governance, collections care, audience development) 

• Be respectful of others and their contributions

• Share your own experience, insights, and ideas generously and constructively

• Think carefully before sharing information about specific museums or individuals — consider how it might affect them. Be mindful of feelings, reputation, and privacy. Change identifying details if needed

• Avoid using the space to promote your own museum’s general events or activities, unless they are directly relevant and helpful to the group’s focus (e.g. a Trustee-focused event shared in a Trustee network)

Members of the MDM team may also participate in these groups to offer support, share updates, and contribute to discussions.

Unacceptable Behaviour

MDM will not tolerate the following behaviour from any participants:

• Offensive comments relating to gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, mental illness, neurodiversity, physical appearance, age, race, ethnicity, culture, political opinion, skill level, occupation, background or religion

• Hate speech, inflammatory or derogatory language

• Discrimination of any kind

• Violence or the incitement to violence

• Unwelcome sexual comments or behaviour

• Sharing any kind of inappropriate visual material such as pornography or images of violence

• Personal attacks or intimidation

Safeguarding

Delegates at MDM events may include staff or volunteers who are under 18 years of age or vulnerable adults. If you have any safeguarding concerns during an MDM event, please contact us.

MDM will escalate any safeguarding concerns via Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust (IGMT) Safeguarding Procedures.

Cancellations

While all our training is free for museums, MDM uses public money (through our Arts Council England funding) to cover the costs of any training opportunities we offer. To ensure value for money, our terms and conditions request that attendees give us at least 48 hours’ notice for cancellations so we can offer the place to other museums.