Process for Investigation of Misconduct Allegations

The American Physiological Society (the Society) is committed to creating an environment where individuals can be safe, accepted and respected in their pursuit to exchange ideas openly. In keeping with policies on member conduct, the Society will investigate reports of misconduct that are directly connected to the Society’s programs or sponsored events. To file a report, please review the following information and contact the APS Director of Leadership and Governance, Sandra Spadoni (sspadoni@the-aps.org).

Information required for reports:

If you would like to file anonymously, please click here.

• Name and contact information of the person submitting the report.
• Name and identifying information of the person alleged to have engaged in misconduct.
• Description of the alleged misconduct including the date and circumstances, and an explanation of how the report relates to misconduct as defined by the Society’s policies.
• Any documents related to the alleged misconduct with an explanation of how the items relate to the report.
• Any conflict of interest that the person making the report may have with individuals named in the report. Note: existence of a conflict of interest does not prevent the filing of a report.

The Society will record all reports received of alleged misconduct by its members, and further investigate those that are associated with the Society's programs or sponsored events. However, in order to move forward with an investigation, third-party complaints must identify the target of the alleged misconduct, and the target should be willing to participate in the misconduct investigation. If the target of the alleged misconduct is not willing to participate in an investigation of the misconduct, the complaint will be treated as though it was made anonymously. Anonymous reports of misconduct will be reviewed, recorded and investigated at the Society's discretion.

The Society will make all reasonable efforts to protect the identity of the parties involved in the misconduct report unless disclosures are required in order to investigate or as required by law.

Reports and self-disclosures related to the APS Policy on Awards and Honors

The Executive Director and the Director of Governance and Leadership initially review reports and self-disclosures to determine if the alleged misconduct is covered by the Society’s policies and whether the report contains all required information. 

The Executive Director will convene the Executive Cabinet to review the report or disclosure, gather relevant information and decide whether the application can proceed or whether previously received awards or honors should stand or be rescinded (in the case where it has already been awarded).  If a member of the Executive Cabinet or the Executive Director has a conflict of interest with any of the individuals involved in the matter at hand, that person will recuse themselves from the process and the remaining Executive Cabinet members will select a replacement from the APS Council.

In the event that the Executive Director and the Executive Cabinet cannot reach a final determination on a report or disclosure, they will recommend additional steps to resolve the issues. The Executive Cabinet has the final authority to determine what action(s) will be taken.

Restorative remedies may be provided in the event of determined conduct inconsistent with an honor or award, or in the event of a credible but undetermined question about such conduct. Such remedies will be determined by the Executive Cabinet.

In the event of suspension or revocation of an existing honor or award, the Society will give the holder of the honor or award a notice of intent at least 30 days before a notice of revocation or suspension.

The holder of the honor or award will have an opportunity to submit to the Society, within 14 days, a written statement of appeal, including any reasons why they believe the revocation or suspension would not be in the best interests of the field. After that 14-day period, whether or not a statement has been submitted, the Society will act at in its discretion.

Reports related to APS programs and events

The Executive Director and the Director of Governance and Leadership initially review reports of misconduct to determine if they are covered by the Society’s policies and whether the report contains all required information. 

The Executive Director will convene the Executive Cabinet to review the report, gather relevant information and make recommendations for resolving the complaint.  If a member of the Executive Cabinet or the Executive Director has a conflict of interest with any of the individuals involved in the matter at hand, that person will recuse themselves from the process and the remaining Executive Cabinet members will select a replacement from the APS Council.

In the event that the Executive Director and the Executive Cabinet cannot reach a final determination, they will recommend additional steps to resolve the issues. The Executive Cabinet has the final authority to determine what action(s) will be taken.

Restorative remedies may be provided in the event of determined conduct inconsistent with APS policies, or in the event of a credible but undetermined question about such conduct. Such remedies will be determined by the Executive Cabinet.

If sanctions are recommended, the Society will give a notice of intent at least 30 days before implementing the sanctions.

The subject of the complaint will have an opportunity to submit to the Society, within 14 days, a written statement of appeal, including any reasons why they believe the recommended actions are not in the best interest of the field. After that 14-day period, whether or not a statement has been submitted, the Society will act in its discretion.