Mission Statement
The Genetics Society of AustralAsia (GSA) is the professional organization for scientific researchers and educators in the field of genetics in Australia, New Zealand and the Asia-Pacific region. The Society is dedicated to promoting research and education in genetics and facilitating communication among geneticists and the broader public. It does this by:
- Supporting an annual genetics research conference to promote interactions among geneticists and cultivate the genetics community
- Sponsoring other events to showcase research in genetics
- Representing the collective interests of the genetics community to policymakers and government leaders via its membership of Science Technology Australia
- Highlighting and promoting genetics research by administering and supporting a suite of awards to genetics researchers
- Fostering communication among genetics educators
- Fostering the next generation of genetics researchers by providing travel awards to enable students to attend the annual conference
- Promoting genetics research of members of the society
Equity Statement
The Genetics Society of AustralAsia (GSA) aims to promote a culture of inclusion and equity, and we welcome and encourage participation by members regardless of gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, disability, physical appearance, faith, age, pregnancy, parental/carer status, socioeconomic background, or political belief.
The society is committed to supporting diversity in all of its activities, including diversity in membership, leadership, recognition and outreach. We are committed to providing accessible opportunities wherever possible, and to making reasonable adjustments to support participation by members of all abilities.
Gender Equity
To address the current gender imbalance in some areas we:
- Ensure balanced gender representation in the invited speakers, proffered talks and conference chairs at the annual conference and other GSA-sponsored events
- Include a gender balance in material that promotes the society such as the society website
- Ensure GSA committees such as the executive, conference organising and awards committees are gender balanced
- Build support structures that facilitate attendance at the annual conference by those with dependents
Event Code of Conduct
This Code of Conduct applies to all Genetics Society of AustralAsia (GSA) events and activities, whether in person, hybrid, or online, including conferences, seminars, social gatherings, networking functions, and official communications platforms. It applies equally to all participants, organisers, sponsors, speakers, exhibitors, and volunteers.
The organisers are committed to making events and activities productive, safe, and enjoyable for everyone, in adherence with the GSA Equity Statement.
We will not tolerate harassment of participants in any form, whether in person, in writing, or via digital and social media platforms (including event hashtags and private messages). Please follow these guidelines:
- Behave professionally. Harassment and sexist, racist, or exclusionary comments are not appropriate. Harassment includes sustained disruption of talks or other events, inappropriate physical contact, sexual attention or innuendo, deliberate intimidation and stalking. It also includes offensive comments related to gender, gender expression, sexual orientation, ethnicity, nationality, disability, physical appearance, faith, age, pregnancy, parental/carer status, socioeconomic background, or political belief.
- All communication should be appropriate for a professional audience including people of many different backgrounds.
- Be kind to others. Do not insult or put down other attendees.
- Support each other. Participants who witness behaviour that violates this Code of Conduct are encouraged to report it and, where safe to do so, support those targeted.
Participants asked to stop any inappropriate behaviour are expected to comply immediately. Attendees violating these rules may be asked to leave the event at the sole discretion of the organisers without a refund of any charge. Retaliation against anyone making a complaint or participating in an investigation will not be tolerated.
Reporting process: Any participant who wishes to report a violation of this policy is asked to speak, in confidence, to a member of the GSA Committee or the Event Organising Committee. Reports will be handled promptly, with confidentiality maintained to the extent possible.
Contact Us
The committee can be reached at GSA@asnevents.net.au.