Ethics & Conduct

Code of Conduct

Our Commitment

Haiti Nexus is committed to creating and maintaining an inclusive, respectful, and collaborative environment for all researchers, scholars, students, staff, volunteers, and community members. This Code of Conduct applies to all Haiti Nexus activities, including our online research database, journals, webinars, poster competitions, 3-minute thesis competitions, and all organizational communications.

Core Values

We are guided by academic excellence, striving for the highest standards in research, publication, and knowledge dissemination. We believe research should be accessible to all, regardless of language, geography, or economic status. We treat all individuals with respect, courtesy, and dignity, valuing diverse perspectives and experiences. Honesty, transparency, and ethical conduct guide all our activities. We actively build bridges between research and practice, connecting scholars with communities. We honor Haiti’s rich cultural heritage and promote multilingual scholarship in Creole, French, and English.

Expected Behavior

All participants in Haiti Nexus activities are expected to communicate respectfully and constructively in all forums, including webinars, conferences, email correspondence, and online platforms. Professional interactions should focus on ideas rather than individuals. Collaboration, proper acknowledgment of contributions, and respect for confidentiality are essential. Research and publication must be honest and accurate. Sources must be cited, conflicts of interest disclosed, and intellectual property respected. Users of Haiti Nexus digital platforms must respect privacy, use systems responsibly, and report technical or security concerns promptly.

Unacceptable Behavior

Haiti Nexus does not tolerate harassment, discrimination, intimidation, threats, bullying, or unwelcome sexual attention in any form. Academic misconduct such as plagiarism, data fabrication, duplicate submissions, authorship misrepresentation, or peer-review manipulation is strictly prohibited. Professional misconduct includes disruption of events, misuse of resources, impersonation, unauthorized solicitation, or spreading false information.

Reporting Violations

Violations may be reported by emailing info@haitinexus.org or using the confidential reporting form. Reports should include relevant details such as date, location, individuals involved, witnesses, supporting documentation, and impact of the behavior.

Investigation and Resolution

All reports are handled with discretion. Haiti Nexus will acknowledge receipt within 48 hours and conduct a fair and impartial investigation. Outcomes may include mediation, formal warnings, suspension, removal from roles, bans, retractions, institutional notification, or legal referral.

Protection Against Retaliation

Retaliation against individuals who report violations in good faith or participate in investigations is strictly prohibited.

Acknowledgment and Agreement

Participation in Haiti Nexus activities signifies acknowledgment and agreement to abide by this Code of Conduct.

Review and Updates

This Code of Conduct is reviewed annually and updated as needed. Significant changes will be communicated to the community.

Contact Information

For questions or reports, contact info@haitinexus.org or visit haitinexus.org/code-of-conduct. Haiti Nexus is committed to fostering a culture of respect, integrity, and excellence.

Code of Ethics

Preamble

Haiti Nexus is founded on the principle that research and knowledge should serve the betterment of Haitian society and advance understanding across global communities. This Code of Ethics establishes the ethical principles and standards that guide our organization, our team, and all who participate in our mission to bridge the gap between scholarship and accessibility.

Our Mission and Vision

Haiti Nexus promotes the dissemination of research in Haiti by facilitating access to completed studies and encouraging researchers to publish their work in multiple languages—Creole, French, and English. We envision being the leading platform for the dissemination of Haitian research, empowering researchers and scholars through a multilingual database that fosters knowledge sharing and promotes academic excellence.

Foundational Ethical Principles

Academic Freedom and Integrity

We believe in the fundamental right of researchers to pursue knowledge and express findings without undue censorship or interference. Maintaining the highest standards of scholarly rigor and honesty is essential to our mission. Haiti Nexus publishes research based on scientific merit and protects academic freedom while upholding quality standards that serve the scholarly community.

Open Access and Knowledge Democracy

Research is a public good that should be accessible to all. Removing linguistic, economic, and geographic barriers to scholarship remains central to our work. We maintain affordable article processing fees and ensure all published research is freely available worldwide, while supporting multilingual and accessible publication.

Community-Centered Research

Research should serve and respect Haitian communities. Local knowledge and lived experience are essential sources of understanding. We encourage participatory approaches, accountability to communities, and communication of findings in accessible language.

Equity and Inclusion

Equal opportunity for all researchers is fundamental to advancing knowledge. Diverse perspectives enrich scholarship and address historical inequities. Haiti Nexus actively supports early-career researchers, underrepresented groups, mentorship, and fair peer review.

Ethical Research Practices

The protection of research participants’ rights, dignity, and well-being is paramount. Responsible data management and environmental and social responsibility guide our work. Ethical review, informed consent, confidentiality, and sustainability are required for all applicable research.

Ethical Standards for Stakeholders

Leadership and Staff

Leaders act transparently, manage resources responsibly, avoid conflicts of interest, and protect editorial independence and confidentiality.

Authors and Researchers

Authors must conduct and report research honestly, disclose conflicts of interest, respect authorship standards, and respond professionally to peer review.

Peer Reviewers

Reviewers provide objective, constructive, and confidential feedback, declare conflicts of interest, and respect deadlines and professional standards.

Editorial Board Members

Editorial decisions are based on scholarly merit and ethics. Misconduct allegations are addressed promptly, fairly, and transparently.

Ethical Challenges and Dilemmas

Ethical decision-making may require balancing competing values. Haiti Nexus consults experts and communities, documents decisions, and adjusts policies when needed.

Accountability and Enforcement

An Ethics Committee oversees policy review, investigations, and enforcement. Violations may result in sanctions, retractions, or legal action. Concerns may be reported to info@haitinexus.org.

Continuous Improvement

Ethics is an ongoing practice. Haiti Nexus provides training, annual reviews, and public reporting on ethical matters.

Affirmation

By participating in Haiti Nexus, all stakeholders affirm their commitment to ethical conduct, reflection, and continuous improvement. “Research is not just about knowledge—it is about responsibility, justice, and service to humanity.”

Contact Information

For ethics questions or concerns, contact info@haitinexus.org or visit haitinexus.org/ethics. Haiti Nexus Ethics Committee