DFC Conflict of Interest Policy
Passed by the DFC executive council on October 22, 2025
A conflict of interest is a situation where a Division of Feminist Criminology (DFC) member’s personal interests (whether financial, relational, or otherwise) could compromise or appear to compromise their judgment, decisions, or actions in fulfilling their duties and responsibilities to the DFC.
This can arise when an individual’s personal interests clash with their official DFC obligations, potentially affecting their objectivity in various situations, such as:
- Decision-Making: Using their DFC position to gain personal benefits or advantages not available to other DFC members
Individuals on a committee or involved in evaluating award applicants are expected to recuse themselves if they have a conflict of interest with an applicant (e.g., related by blood or marriage, close personal friendship, previous co-author, faculty-student mentorship).
It is prohibited to use a DFC position to obtain personal benefits for oneself or a related party that are not available to other similarly situated DFC members.
When a conflict is identified, an action plan to resolve or manage it may be developed, which could involve:
- Disclosure to relevant parties
- Modification of duties
- Changing leaderships structures
- Recusal from evaluative processes
- Severance of the conflicting relationship
It is important to note that these policies are designed to maintain integrity, prevent favoritism, and ensure fair and objective decision-making in all DFC activities.