Terms and Conditions

Last Updated: 20 March 2021

Contents

  1. General
    1. Data Privacy
    2. Use of CGScholar
    3. Membership
    4. Acceptance of Policies and Conditions
  2. Publishing
    1. General
    2. Publishing Ethics
    3. Access
    4. Rights and Permissions
    5. Returns and Refunds
    6. Publishing Data Privacy
  3. Conferencing and Events
    1. Acceptance of Policies and Conditions
    2. Conferencing Data Privacy
    3. Non-Discrimination Policy
    4. Event Conduct and Safety
    5. Venue and Special Requirements
    6. Conference Changes
    7. Liability Waiver and Release
    8. Recording Presenations and Digital Media
    9. Intellectual Property
    10. Plagiarism
    11. Likeness
    12. Limit on the Number of Presentations that can be Delivered
    13. Payment Deadline
    14. Payment Options
    15. Letters
    16. Registration Cancellation and Alteration
    17. Force Majeure
  4. About these Conditions
    1. Modification
    2. Indemnity

1. General

Common Ground Research Networks NFP (CGRN) is a scholarly publisher of journals, books, and digital media. CGRN manages the workflow and publishes peer reviewed content (CGRN Published Content) on behalf of its Research Networks and approved partners. (referred to as Services). CGRN also manages membership-based Research Networks annual events (CGRN Conferences) and speaker series (also referred to as Services). Since 1984 our mission has been to change the way in which knowledge is valued, via publishing rigorously and independently peer reviewed knowledge.

CGRN Conferences and Published Content contain the views, thoughts, assertions and opinions of contributing speakers (in-person and / or online) and authors. The information expressed by these speakers and authors is not necessarily that of CGRN. CGRN makes no representations about the accuracy of the information contained herein, and the inclusion of the information herein shall not be construed as an endorsement, either explicitly or implicitly, of the information by the CGRN. CGRN disclaims any and all responsibility or liability resulting from the information contained in published Journals or Books or presented at one of our Conferences.

1.1 Data Privacy

We are committed to data privacy and protecting your personal information. Information about you and your activities will not be passed on to any other person or organization. By submitting your email address during the Article Submission, or Conference Proposal and Registration process, you agree that CGRN and may send you related information. CGRN uses the personal data you provide in this registration for administering your participation in this event or publishing workflow process. CGRN does not store payment information, such as Credit Card details. CGRN will never disclose payment information to a party other than its payment processor for any reason.

For more details please refer to:

1.2 Use of CGScholar

Common Ground Research Networks is the CGScholar.com “Publisher” for all Research Networks it manages. Please refer to the Conditions of Use of the Platform for a detailed explanation of what this means. All activity on CGScholar.com is governed by its Conditions of Use. Content on CGScholar.com Published by Common Ground Research Networks is governed by both the CGScholar.com Conditions of Use and this document.

1.3 Membership

When you join a CGRN Research Network you become part of an international network of scholars, researchers, and practitioners. Members present at annual conferences, publish in journal collections, and write for book imprints. Membership makes our independent organization possible, while giving access to a large body of knowledge and professional development opportunities. All Network Memberships are non-refundable.

See full list of current Research Networks

1.4 Acceptance of Policies Conditions

The following Terms and Conditions apply to all Services provided by CGRN. Your use of this or any CGRN website; at the completion of a Conference Registration; or submission of a journal article, you acknowledge and accept the Terms & Conditions contained herein.


2. Publishing

2.1 General

Common Ground Research Networks (CGRN) is a scholarly publisher of journals, books, and digital media. Since 1984 our mission has been to change the way in which knowledge is valued, via publishing rigorously and independently peer reviewed knowledge. CGRN manages the workflow and publishes content (CGRN Published Content) on behalf of its Research Networks and approved partners. (from here on referred to as Services).

Acceptance of Terms and Conditions

In these terms, Websites (with a capitalized W) refers to all CGRN Websites, including use of CGScholar (the Platform) By accessing CGRN Websites, using, or contributing to the publishing Services, and in consideration for the publishing Services provided to you, you agree to abide by the Terms.

2.2 Publishing Ethics

CGRN publications contain the views, thoughts, assertions and opinions(“information”) of contributing authors. The information expressed by these authors is not necessarily that of CGRN. CGRN makes no representations about the accuracy of the information contained herein, and the inclusion of the information herein shall not be construed as an endorsement, either explicitly or implicitly, of the information by the CGRN. CGRN disclaims any and all responsibility or liability resulting from the information contained in published Journals or Books.

2.2a Editorial Independence

CGRN takes intellectual integrity very seriously. The publisher, editors, reviewers, and authors all agree upon the following standards of expected ethical behavior, which are based on the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) Core Practices.

2.2b Duties of Publisher

Publication Decisions
CGRN’s editorial team, in consultation with the journal or journal collection’s editor(s), is responsible for deciding which submitted articles should be published. The editorial team may confer with the journal editor and will strongly consider peer reviewers' comments and recommendations as part of this decision-making process.

Fair Play
Submitted articles will be evaluated according to their intellectual merit, without regard to the race, gender, sexual orientation, religious beliefs, ethnic origin, citizenship, political philosophy, or institutional affiliation of the author(s).

Confidentiality
Editorial staff will not disclose any information about a submitted manuscript to anyone other than the corresponding author, reviewers, potential reviewers, or other editorial advisers.

Disclosures of Conflicts of Interest<
Unpublished material must not be used in an editor's own research without the written consent of the author.

2.2c Duties of Reviewers

Contribution to Editorial Decisions
Recommendations by peer reviewers are the single most important determining factor in whether a manuscript is accepted for publication. They may also help the author improve a manuscript that has been accepted pending revisions.

Promptness
Peer reviewers are asked to complete their reviews within two weeks of receiving a peer review assignment. If they cannot complete the report within two weeks, they may ask for an extension. If a peer reviewer feels unqualified to review a particular manuscript, he or she may notify a member of Common Ground’s editorial team to be excused from the assignment.

Confidentiality
Any manuscript received for review will be treated as confidential. It must not be shown to or discussed with others except as authorized by Common Ground’s editorial team.

Standards of Objectivity
Reviews should be conducted objectively. Personal criticism of the author is inappropriate. Reviewers should express their views clearly with supporting arguments.

Acknowledgment of Sources and Identification of Possible Plagiarism
Reviewers should identify relevant published work that has not been cited by the authors. Reports of statements, observations, or arguments that have been noted elsewhere should be accompanied by a relevant citation. A reviewer should also call the editor's attention to any substantial similarity or overlap between the manuscript under consideration and any other published paper of which they have personal knowledge.

Disclosure and Conflict of Interest
If a peer reviewer feels unqualified to review a particular manuscript, he or she must notify a member of Common Ground Research Networks' editorial team to be excused from the assignment. Privileged information or ideas obtained through peer review must be kept confidential and not be used for personal benefit. Reviewers should not consider manuscripts in which they have conflicts of interest resulting from competitive, collaborative, or other relationships or connections with any of the authors, companies, or institutions connected to the papers under review.

2.2d Duties of Authors

Reporting Standards
Authors of reports of original research should present an accurate account of the work performed, as well as an objective discussion of its significance.

Data Access and Retention
Authors are asked to provide the raw data in connection with the paper for editorial review, and should be prepared to provide public access to such data whenever possible. In any event, authors should be prepared to retain such data for a reasonable amount of time after publication.

Originality and Plagiarism
Authors should ensure that they have written entirely original work, and if they have used the work and/or words of others that this has been appropriately cited and quoted. Articles found to have plagiarized material will be withdrawn from publication consideration. If plagiarism is found after an article is published, the publisher will contact the author for a response to the allegations. In cases of proven plagiarism or nonresponse/inadequate response, the offending article will be retracted and a statement from the publisher will be inserted in its place in the relevant journal issue.

Multiple, Redundant, or Concurrent Publication
Submitting the same manuscript to more than one journal concurrently constitutes unethical publishing behavior and it is unacceptable. Manuscripts must only be peer reviewed by one journal at a time. Common Ground Research Networks will consider publishing articles that have been published elsewhere previously, provided that they have undergone substantial revision or reworking. In such cases, 70 percent of the article must consist of new or significantly revised material.

Acknowledgment of Sources
Proper acknowledgment of the work of others must always be given. Authors should cite publications that have been influential in determining the nature of the reported work.

Authorship of the Article
Authorship should be limited to those who have made a significant contribution to the conception, design, execution, or interpretation of the reported study. All those who have made significant contributions should be listed as coauthors. Where there are others who participated in certain substantial aspects of the research project, they should be acknowledged or listed as contributors. The corresponding author should ensure that all appropriate coauthors and no inappropriate coauthors are included on the paper, and that all coauthors have seen and approved the final version of the article and agreed to its submission for publication.

Disclosure and Conflicts of Interest
Authors should disclose in their manuscript any financial or other substantive conflict of interest that might be construed to influence the results or interpretation of the manuscript. All sources of financial support for the project should be disclosed.

Fundamental Errors in Published Works
When an author discovers a significant error or inaccuracy in his or her own published work, it is the author's obligation to promptly notify the publisher and cooperate with Common Ground’s editorial team to correct or retract the article.

2.2e Statement on Informed Consent

Consent:
For all research involving human subjects, informed consent to participate in the study should be obtained from participants (or their parent or guardian in the case of children under 18 and a statement to this effect should appear in the work.

Consent for publication of individual patient data:
For all works that include details, images, or videos relating to individual participants, written informed consent for the publication of these must be obtained from the participants (or their parent or legal guardian in the case of children under 18) and a statement to this effect should appear in the work. A consent form must be made available to the Editor(s) on request and will be treated confidentially. In cases where images are entirely unidentifiable and there are no details on individuals reported within the manuscript, consent for publication of images may not be required. The final decision on whether consent to publish is required lies with the Editor(s).

Patients have a right to privacy that should not be infringed without informed consent. Identifying information, including patients’ names, initials, or hospital numbers, should not be published in written descriptions, photographs, or pedigrees unless the information is essential for scientific purposes and the patient (or parent or guardian) gives written informed consent for publication. Informed consent for this purpose requires that a patient who is identifiable be shown the manuscript to be published. Authors should identify individuals who provide writing assistance and disclose the funding source for this assistance. Identifying details should be omitted if they are not essential. Complete anonymity is difficult to achieve, however, an informed consent should be obtained if there is any doubt. For example, masking the eye region in photographs of patients is inadequate protection of anonymity. If identifying characteristics are altered to protect anonymity, such as in genetic pedigrees, author(s) should provide assurance that alterations do not distort scientific meaning and the author(s) are responsible to notify the editor(s) in such instances and editor(s) should so note accordingly. The requirement for informed consent should be included in the journal’s instructions for authors. When informed consent has been obtained it should be indicated in the published work.

2.2f Statement on Human and Animal Rights

For research studies using human or animal subjects, the trial’s design, conduct, and reporting of results must conform to Good Clinical Practice guidelines (such as the Good Clinical Practice in Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-Regulated Clinical Trials (USA) or the Medical Research Council Guidelines for Good Clinical Practice in Clinical Trials (UK)) and/or to the World Medical Association (WMA) Declaration of Helsinki. Any work describing a study that used human subjects must include a statement that affirms the experiments were performed with prior informed consent (written or verbal, as appropriate) from each participant.

Humans:
When reporting experiments on human subjects, authors should indicate whether the procedures followed were in accordance with the ethical standards of the responsible committee on human experimentation (institutional and national) and with the Helsinki Declaration of 1975, as revised in 2008 (5). If doubt exists whether the research was conducted in accordance with the Helsinki Declaration, the author(s) must explain the rationale for their approach and demonstrate that the institutional review body explicitly approved the doubtful aspects of the study.

Animals:
When reporting experiments on animals, authors should indicate whether the institutional and national guide for the care and use of laboratory animals was followed. Experimental research on vertebrates or any regulated invertebrates must comply with institutional, national, or international guidelines, and where available should have been approved by an appropriate ethics committee. A statement detailing compliance with guidelines and/or ethical approval must be included in the work. For studies involving client-owned animals, author(s) must document informed client consent and adherence to a high standard (best practice) of veterinary care.

2.2g Policy on the Use of Generative AI and AI-assisted Technologies

Generative AI and AI-assisted technologies can be used when preparing a manuscript for a CGRN journal or book. Where authors use AI technologies in the writing process, these technologies should be used only to improve the written expression and readability of the work and not to replace essential authoring tasks such as the presentation of content and the framing of argument. Any use of AI must be displayed in an “Acknowledgements” section of the work, explaining how it has been used as a functional tool to assist in the process of drafting.

Our guidelines align with the Committee on Publication Ethics (COPE) position statement. This holds that "authors are fully responsible for the content of their manuscript, even those parts produced by an AI tool, and are thus liable for any breach of publication ethics."

Please note that content generated by AI tools does not meet the requirement of “authorship,” and you cannot list AI and AI-assisted technologies as an author or co-author.

Also, as Generative AI does not reliably present facts or report its sources, it cannot be cited as a reference in a scholarly work. Do not use AI as a research source or cite it in your referencing.

2.3 Access

2.3a Acceptable Use

You are only authorized to visit, view and retain a single copy of any CGRN Websites solely for educational purposes for your own individual, noncommercial use. You may incorporate insubstantial portions of materials in an amount not to exceed ten percent (10%) of any individual book or journal issue where these are included in a database, and not more than five percent (5%) of the total database content retrieved from CGRN Websites into your materials, but you may not duplicate, download, publish, modify or otherwise distribute any material on CGRN Websites for any purpose other than your own individual, educational use unless you have received prior specific authorization in writing from CGRN. If you are accessing the Services described above, based on your Access Agreement (see XXX) you shall also be governed by the terms of your applicable to that agreement.

2.3b Prohibited Uses

You may not, nor may you permit, authorize or encourage others to: (a) store in any information retrieval system, transfer, publish, distribute, display to others, broadcast, sell, or sublicense the Services, or any portion of CGRN Websites or the Services; (b) use the Services to develop any database, database service (online or otherwise), or other information resource in any medium (print, electronic or otherwise, now existing or developed in the future) for sale or license to or use by others; (c) remove, disable, or defeat any functionality in the Services designed to limit or control access to or use of the Services or to protect the rights of CGRN or its licensors as copyright owners; (d) use the Services for the benefit of any third party, including without limitation, in an outsourcing or timesharing arrangement, or in the operation of a service bureau; (e) sell, lease, sublicense, distribute, or otherwise transfer the Services to any person, firm, or entity; (f) decompile, disassemble create or attempt to create, by reverse engineering or otherwise, the source code from any object code accessible as part of CGRN Websites or Services; (g) use CGRN Websites or the Services in any other inappropriate, objectionable, harmful or illegal manner; or (h) use, copy or otherwise access any restricted-access portion of CGRN Websites, the Services or any content or materials contained in any such area of the Services for which you have not been licensed and invoiced by us. If for any reason, you access or permit others to access any such content or materials which have not been licensed to you, these terms and conditions apply to your use of such content and materials and you agree to pay all applicable charges. If you are accessing the Services described in Section 1 above, your use shall also be governed by the terms of your applicable Access Agreement (see section 2.3e) or other agreement.

2.3c Subscriber Uses / Access

We value the subscribers to our journals and our relationships with our subscribers. If you are accessing a CGRN Website pursuant to an Access Agreement or other agreement executed by CGRN and either you or the library or other institution providing you access or pursuant to CGRN Article Access Sharing policy (need this below?), then, subject to such applicable Access Agreement or other agreement or policy, CGRN hereby grants to you, a revocable, non-exclusive, non-transferable, non-sublicensable limited right and license to access and use those portions of CGRN Websites and/or Services made available to you pursuant to that Access Agreement or other agreement.

2.3d Subscriber Access – Individual

The Services are provided solely for personal, non-commercial use. You may not take any material from CGRN Websites and reformat, repost, or redisplay it for commercial purposes. You may not reformat, repost, or redisplay any material from CGRN Websites for non-commercial purposes provided however that (i) you may redisplay the title, author and/or abstract for an individual document included in CGRN Websites, together with a link to that document's public abstract page on the Platform; (ii) you may exercise any additional rights granted directly by the author or other valid copyright holder, and (iii) you may cite or quote individual CGRN usage statistics, rankings, citations, and similar information with acknowledgment of the source, date, and URL for this information. These exceptions for noncommercial use apply only to specific documents and use of specific CGRN-provided statistics and other information. They do not convey any rights to reproduce or otherwise make use of all or a significant part of the CGRN Websites or CGRN-provided information, or all or a significant part of a category of the CGRN- Websites or CGRN-provided information.

For permissions to copy beyond that permitted by the U.S.Copyright Law and for reprints, contact us via our Knowledge Base.

2.3e Subscriber Access – Institutions

We define Authorized Users as people with Access Agreement through an institution licensing CGRN Published Content on their behalf, namely a college, university, secondary school, public library, museum, foundation, government agency, research center, corporate/for-profit organization or scholarly society (“Institutional Licensee”). This includes individuals i) permitted to be on the premises of an Institutional Licensee and access CGRN Published Content while on CGRN Websites and ii) who may also access CGRN Published Content remotely.

Access Agreement
An Institutional Licensee is offered the following general Access Agreement. Any institutional subscription must be for the sole use of the institution identified in the subscription order, and not for any other institution unless the CGRN otherwise expressly agrees in writing.

Without limitation of the foregoing, it is a violation of these terms and conditions to do any of the following:

  • Resell or otherwise transfer a subscription (for payment or not for payment) or the issues related thereto to anyone other than the named subscriber without prior notice to the CGRN and written acceptance by the CGRN of the transfer.
  • Order a subscription at the individual rate when the real intended use is institutional. Institutional use includes, without limitation, systematic redistribution to your fellow employees, or systematic placing in your employer’s library, intranet, or other central repository.
  • Allow anyone other than you to use your IP addresses, usernames, passwords, or other access control mechanisms, to gain access to a journal to which you have subscribed.
  • Distribute any discounted copies, such as discounted print copies, to any entity other than the subscriber in whose name they have been ordered.
  • Claim a “missing” or “damaged” copy other than to replace a copy that failed to reach you or reached you in damaged condition.
  • Any subscription taken out at the individual rate but not for the actual use of the named subscriber will be conclusively deemed to have been resold to an institution at the full institutional rate.

Nothing in these Terms and Conditions is intended to prevent bona fide and ad hoc lending of particular issues of a journal or a book. Rather, the intent is to prevent systematic substitution of an institution for the named subscriber.

You agree that in the event the CGRN in good faith determines that you have breached these Terms and Conditions, it may terminate or suspend the subscription(s) concerned, and apply the amount of any fee(s) attributable to remaining issues to its damages.

In any action brought to enforce this Agreement, you agree to pay all reasonable attorneys’ fees incurred by the CGRN.

Online Access

Institutions with a online subscription of CGRN Published Content are entitled to:

  • IP registered access across a single site
  • Access to full-text in HTML (where available) and PDF – current contents, plus available online back issues
  • Usage statistics
  • Remote access allowed via secure proxy

Content Coverage / Archival Access

Access to subscribed content (current and backlist) is only granted for the duration of the subscription. We currently do not offer perpetual access.

Cancellation, Returns, and Refunds

All print and electronic subscriptions are non-refundable.

2.4 Rights and Permissions

2.4a General Permission to Reproduce – Journals and Books

If you wish to copy all or part of a work in any way you may (e.g., duplicating the electronic file, quoting in another work beyond what CGRN define as “fair use”, or photocopying). A fee will be assessed based on the terms and conditions the user is reproducing the content (i.e., copying the electronic file to distribute to students are assessed a larger fee than someone copying an electronic file for single use). The creators of the work rely on your honesty. However, you will be held liable for any infringement of U.S. and international copyright laws for which you are responsible.

2.4b Copying – Journals and Books

The typeset or printed version of any work published on this site may not be copied without written permission of CGRN.

In the case of the electronic version of this work, either purchased as a single product or made available through subscription, a customer may:

  • Keep one copy of the file on their device or a removable storage medium.
  • Make a second copy onto another storage medium for the purpose of backing up their device.
  • Copy it onto another computer or storage medium, providing you remove it from their original device or storage medium.
  • Print out one copy on paper.

But you may not:

  • Make a copy of the file, other than for the purpose of computer backup or moving it from one location or storage medium to another.
  • Break the file into sections (it must always remain as a whole file), or remove the copyright information.
  • Sell or give away the file to another person. If another person wants a copy, you should direct them to our conference sites where they can purchase a copy.
  • Email the file to another person. Emailing a file as an attachment is a form of copying.
  • Share the document via a cloud service over the Internet, or by sharing the document through a mobile device. Sharing a file is a form of copying.
  • Print out more than one copy of this file, or photocopy the printout.
  • In making a purchase, downloading an electronic work or establishing a CGScholar account, you have agreed to the above conditions.

To attain permission to reproduce, please see the Knowledge Base.

2.4c Journal Authors

For the full terms of Journal Author Rights and Permissions, please refer to your original publishing contract. The current Journal Author Rights and Permissions terms are available on the Knowledge Base.

2.4d Book Authors and Editors

For the full terms of Book Author/Editor Rights and Permissions, please refer to your original publishing contract. The current Book Author/Editor Rights and Permissions terms are available on the Knowledge Base.

2.5 Returns and Refunds

The countries to which we would deliver the Products ordered by you and the terms on which we would deliver those Products including delivery charges are set out in our Post and Packaging page. Such delivery charges do not cover customs duties or charges, which (if any) shall be your responsibility.

2.5a Physical Products

All printed materials are non-refundable. If there is an issue with your order, please submit your issue to our Knowledge Base.

2.5b Electronic Products

Returns are not accepted on electronic materials, nor refunds given. This includes online memberships and Hybrid Open Access to each of our research networks.

2.6 Publishing Data Privacy

We are committed to data privacy and protecting your personal information. By submitting your email address during any of the following processes: 1) Article Submission 2) Book Proposal or 3) Publication process; you agree that CGRN and its publishing partners may send you publication-related information. A valid email address is required for all article and proposal submissions. CGRN uses the personal data you provide in this submission for administering the review and publication of your work. This may include information about the peer review, necessary revisions, payment, updates, and additional information related to the publication process.

CGRN may disclose your personal data to third party service providers engaged by CGRN to assist in the conduct of the publication process. Information you provide when submitting an article or book published or co-published by parties other than or in addition to CGRN may be shared with those parties, and the treatment of such information is further subject to the privacy policies of those parties. Except as described herein, CGRN will not disclose your personal data to any other third party without your consent except where required to do so by law.

CGRN does not store payment information, such as Credit Card details*. In the event that an author must make another payment, they must submit their payment information again. CGRN will never disclose payment information to a party other than its payment processor for any reason.

*CGRN adheres and complies with the PCI Security Council Standards.


3. Conferences and Events

Key Terms

  • CGRN Events: All Conferences and Events organized by Common Ground Research Networks, including, but not limited to those organized via the CGScholar Platform.
  • Blended Model: A flexible Event to facilitate a range of options and flexibility. Blended Events contain both Online and In-Person components. Blended Registrations allow Presenters and Audience Members the freedom to present and attend in either format and does not require a commitment to In-Person or Online Only at the time of registration.
  • Registration: A ticket for attendance at a CGRN Event. Registrations may be valid for either: both in-person and online components (Blended); or valid for only the online component (Online Only) of an Event. Registrations may be Presenter or Audience Passes. Registrations are on a per-event basis.
  • Presenter Pass: A Registration to a CGRN Event allowing a delegate to deliver an accepted Proposal as a Presentation. May be Blended or Online-Only. The Purchase of a Presenter Pass does not guarantee the acceptance of any proposal.
  • Audience Pass: A Registration to attend a CGRN Event without the ability to deliver an accepted proposal as a presentation. May be Blended or Online-Only.
  • Proposal: The Abstract, Theming, and Keywords for a potential presentation. Submitted to a CGRN Event.
  • Presentation: A proposal that has a valid, unique, registration associated with it. May be Online Only with any valid Presenter Pass Registration, may be in person or online only with a valid Blended Presenter Pass Registration.
  • Venue: The site upon which the CGRN Event is held. This may be a physical destination such as an educational institution or conference center, and may be an online destination such as the CGScholar Event Microsite. Each Venue has its own rules and regulations in addition to those set forth by CGRN for the Event.
  • CGScholar Credit: The credit system within the CGScholar Platform. May be used towards CGRN Event registrations, CGRN bookstore purchases, and transferred to one other CGScholar user. Multiple transfers of CGScholar credit cannot occur, and there is no refund of CGScholar wallet credit once it has been applied.

3.1 Acceptance of Policies and Conditions

The following Terms and Conditions apply to all CGRN Events. Prior to completing a Registration, you must acknowledge and accept the Terms and Conditions contained herein. Delegates who do not accept the Terms and Conditions should not complete a registration. Submission of a Registration is an acknowledgement that you have read and accepted the Terms and Conditions.

3.2 Digital Privacy Policy

We are committed to data privacy and protecting your personal information. By submitting your email address during the Proposal and Registration process, you agree that CGRN and its event partners may send you event-related information. A valid email address is required for all registrations. CGRN uses the personal data you provide in this registration for administering your participation in this event. This may include information about the event’s content, event logistics, payment, updates, and additional information related to the event.

CGRN may disclose your personal data to third party service providers engaged by CGRN to assist in the conduct of the event. Information you provide when registering for or participating in an event managed or co-sponsored by parties other than or in addition to CGRN may be shared with those parties, and the treatment of such information is further subject to the privacy policies of those parties. Except as described herein, CGRN will not disclose your personal data to any other third party without your consent except where required to do so by law.

CGRN does not store payment information, such as Credit Card details*. CGRN will never disclose payment information to a party other than its payment processor for any reason. As CGRN does not store payment information, in the event that a delegate must make another payment, they must submit their payment information again.CGRN does not store payment information, such as Credit Card details. CGRN will never disclose payment information to a party other than its payment processor for any reason. As CGRN does not store payment information, in the event that a delegate must make another payment, they must submit their payment information again.

*CGRN adheres and complies with the PCI Security Council Standards.

3.3 Non-Discrimination Policy

CGRN prohibits discrimination, harassment, and bullying against any person for any reason or any characteristic protetected by law. These protections include, but are not limited to: because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religion, gender, sexual or affectional orientation, gender identity, appearance, matriculation, political affiliation, marital status, or veteran status.

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3.4 Event Conduct and Safety

CGRN is committed to providing a safe, productive, and welcoming environment to all participants, including staff and vendors, at CGRN-related events. CGRN has no tolerance for discrimination, harassment, or bullying in any form at CGRN-related events. Participants are expected to adhere to these principles and respect the rights of others.

What To Do If You Witness or are Subjected to Unacceptable Behavior? Participants should report any behavior inconsistent with these principles to onsite event staff. Event staff contact venue security or local law enforcement, provide escorts, or otherwise assist those experiencing harassment to feel safe for the duration of the event. We value your attendance.

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3.5 Venue and Special Requirements

You must comply with the rules and regulations governing the Venue. If you bring any property to the Venue, you do so at your own risk. We are not responsible for any loss and/or damage to such property. If you are using car parking facilities at the Venue, you do so entirely at your own risk. We do not accept any responsibility for any loss and/or damage resulting from your use of such car parking facilities. We reserve the right to refuse admission to any person whom we consider in our absolute discretion to be unsuitable for admission to the event or to remove you without notice after the start of the event, for example if your behavior is deemed disruptive, offensive, dangerous, illegal, or if you are found to be distributing unauthorized material.

We make every effort to ensure our events are accessible for all delegates.

For any specific access requirements please contact us via the CGScholar Knowledge Base.

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3.6 Conference Changes

CGRN reserves the right to make any changes to the event at any time without prior written notice. Such changes may include, but are not limited to, changes to: changes in speakers, date, time, venue, offered or advertised discounts, and availability of tickets. Should the in-person component of a Blended Conference be cancelled for any reason, the Conference is considered to have been held if the online component still occurs.

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3.7 Liability Waiver and Release

In consideration of being allowed to register for, and participate in the event, you hereby warrant and represent that you are age 18 or above and freely waive, release from liability, assume all risks, and covenant not to sue CGRN or its members, employees, board members, agents, or volunteers for any expense, loss, damage, personal injury, including loss of life, illness, including but not limited to COVID-19, disability, property damage, or property theft or actions of any kind that you may hereafter suffer or sustain before, during, or after the event, unless said expense, loss, damage, personal injury, including loss of life, illness, disability, property damage or property theft or actions of any kind is caused by the sole, gross negligence of . This Liability Waiver and Release is specifically binding upon your heirs and assigns and is knowingly given.

3.8 Recording Presentations and Digital Media

Any redistribution or reproduction of part or all of the contents in any form is prohibited. As all CGRN events are blended, CGRN may record your presentation to add your content to your Presenters Page.

3.9 Intellectual Property

Any and/or all IP in the event materials shall be our sole and exclusive property (or the appropriate third party owner(s), if any) and you shall not acquire any rights in such event materials, including any developments or variations of them. Nothing in this Agreement grants you any IP rights in the event materials. You agree not to reproduce, sell, and/or copy (in whole or in part) the event material, except for purposes of post-event references. Audio and visual recordings for the distribution of commercial materials are not permitted without our prior consent.

3.10 Plagiarism

In the event that CGRN identifies plagiarized material in a presenter’s submission, the presenter’s proposal will be withdrawn and any registrations or payments will be forfeited.

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3.11 Likeness

Registration and attendance at, or participation in, any CGRN conferences and other activities constitutes an agreement by the registrant or attendee to CGRN’s use and distribution (both now and in the future) of the registrant’s or attendee’s image, likeness, and appearance in photographs of such events and activities. Unauthorized use of photographic and recording equipment is prohibited at any CGRN event.

3.12 Limit on the Number of Presentations that can be Delivered

As a matter of fairness, and as a function of the scheduling process, each delivered presentation must have a separately registered presenter. For instance, in the case of three registered presenters of a single presentation, each may co-present up to three presented papers, but there must be three registered participants—with at least one person available to present each of the three papers. In other words, there must be at least one Blended Presenter Pass registration per presentation delivered in-person at the conference, similarly, there must be at least one Presenter Pass, Blended or Online Only, per presentation delivered online only at the Conference. Please note that this includes all presentations both in-person (Blended) and virtual (Online Only).

3.13 Payment Deadline

Payment information is due within seven days of receiving a registration invoice. Please note: Registrants with presentations that register early are given preference for scheduling. Payments must be completed no later than two weeks before the first day of the conference for presentations to appear in the printed conference program. Submitted proposals will not be scheduled in the conference program until full payment is received.

3.14 Payment Options

Payment may be made by credit card, bank transfer, or check. All payments must be made in U.S. Dollars (USD).

Payment by Credit Card

This is the quickest and most convenient form of payment. This information will be input to the registrant’s secure CGScholar account. All transactions by credit card will appear on statements as a payment to “Common Ground RN. Note for non-US Residents paying by credit card: Please notify the card-issuing bank of a forthcoming charge by Common Ground Research Networks in U.S. Dollars prior to uploading the card information.

*CGRN adheres and complies with the PCI Security Council Standards.

Payment by Bank Transfer

Bank transfers should include an additional $30 (USD) bank fee. (This bank fee covers intermediary banks’ service charges.) All bank charges for remittances are to be borne by the participant. Failure to pay this fee may result in an incomplete registration. Bank Transfer instructions are available when completing a Registration

Confirmation MUST BE sent to the CGScholar Knowledge Base with the bank transfer information (e.g., Date of Transfer, Amount, Invoice/Registration Number, and Name of Remitter).

Failure to send this confirmation through the Support Center will result in delays in processing your registration and may prevent your presentation from being scheduled.

Payment by Check

Make checks payable to “COMMON GROUND RESEARCH NETWORKS” in USD. Your name and registration number must be typed or printed clearly on the bottom of the Check or the Check stub. Failure to provide this information will result in delays in processing your registration and may prevent your presentation from being scheduled.

For Checks in USD, please mail them to:

Common Ground Research Networks
University of Illinois Research Park
2001 South First St, Suite 201L
Champaign, IL 61820 USA

Institutional Payments

If CGRN has not received an institutional payment two weeks before the conference start date, we will require you to pay individually. As soon as the institutional payment is made, we will make a refund to you by the same method.

3.15 Letters

CGRN shall provide letters through the CGScholar.com Platform for the purposes of verification and validation of a Delegate's involvement with a CGRN Event.

3.15A Letters of Acceptance and Invitation

CGRN shall provide a Letter of Acceptance for Proposals that meet the selection criteria of the CGScholar Event for which they were submitted. Letters of Acceptance may be downloaded through the CGScholar.com Platform.

Upon the completion of a Blended Registration, CGRN shall provide a Letter of Invitation for attendance to the Conference. If the Registration is a Presenter Pass and the Delegate has an Accepted Proposal, the Letter of Invitation shall also include a clause regarding presentation of the Delegate’s Proposal at the Event. Letters of Invitation may be downloaded through the CGScholar.com Platform.

3.15B Letters of Attendance and Presentation

CGRN shall provide a Letter of Attendance for Delegates who attend an Event. Letters of Invitation may be downloaded through the CGScholar.com Platform.

CGRN shall provide a Letter of Presentation for Delegates who delivered a Presentation at an Event. An In-Person Presentation is considered delivered if the in-person component is given at the physical Event Venue. An Online-Only Presentation is considered delivered if the online Presentation Page has accepted Digital Media added to it for the Event. Letters of Presentation may be downloaded through the CGScholar.com Platform.

3.16 Registration Cancellation and Alterations

No exceptions to the following cancellation policies for registrants unable to obtain a travel visa. Obtaining a travel visa is the sole responsibility of the registrant. CGRN can assist by providing a proposal acceptance letter and/or invitation letter, but CGRN is not an authority on visa issues, nor can CGRN help with expediting the visa process. To qualify for an acceptance letter, one must have an accepted proposal. To qualify for an invitation letter, one must have a paid registration.

CGRN will attempt to process all CGScholar Wallet Credit requests within seven to fourteen business days of the written notice of cancellation or registration type change; however, this relies heavily on registrant cooperation.

No exceptions to the cancellation policy for registrants due to circumstances beyond the control of CGRN, including but not limited to: travel-related issues, natural disasters, illness, political unrest.

Registrants who fail to attend the conference and do not notify CGRN forfeit full payment and are not eligible for Credits or offsetting their registration to another conference.

If there are extenuating circumstances beyond those outlined above and you believe that you qualify for a modification of the Cancellation and Offset Policy, please submit a support ticket. CGRN will assess exception requests on a case-by-case basis.

3.16A General Cancellation and Credit Policy

If a registrant is unable to attend the conference, they can request a CGScholar Credit of a portion of their conference registration in accordance with the policies below:

  • If a written request for a Credit is submitted earlier than 60 days prior to the first day of the conference, the registrant will be refunded 90% of their registration fees as CGScholar Credit.
  • If a written request for a Credit is submitted between 60 and 30 days prior to the first day of the conference, the registrant will be refunded 60% of their registration fees CGScholar Credit.
  • If a written request for a Credit is submitted less than 30 days prior to the first day of the conference, the registrant will receive no refund CGScholar Credit.

A registrant may transfer their conference registration to another conference only once. And the registration type must be of equal or lesser value. No refund will be given on the difference in registration costs between conferences.

3.16B Registration Change Policy

A registrant may change their registration type. At any time before the conference, a registration may be upgraded by paying the difference in the costs of the registration types. A registration may be reduced to an Audience or Online-Only registration. All reductions in registration types will be credited to the registrant’s CGScholar account as CGScholar Credit in accordance with the policies below.

  • If a written request to change registration types and receive an offset of fees is submitted earlier than 60 days prior to the first day of the conference, the registrant’s CGScholar account will be credited 90% of the difference between the original and new registration type as CGScholar Credit.
  • If a written request to change registration types and receive an offset of fees is submitted between 60 and 30 days prior to the first day of the conference, the registrant’s CGScholar account will be credited 60% of the difference between the original and new registration type as CGScholar Credit.
  • If a written request to change registration types and receive an offset of fees is submitted less than 30 days prior to the first day of the conference, the registrant’s CGScholar account will not be credited.

Other Registration Type Changes:

In the event that an individual who is eligible for the Returning Member Registration pays for another registration type, CGRN will issue CGScholar Credit for the difference between the two rates as long as a written request to do so is received within 30 days of the registration payment. After that time, requests will be subject to our standard policies for changing registration types.

Please see the Registration page of the conference website for pricing specific to each conference.

Please submit written registration type change requests to the CGScholar Knowledge Base.

3.16C Special Events Cancellation and Credit Policy

If a registrant is unable to attend a conference dinner, tour, or any other extra event, they may request a refund of the extra fees, in accordance with the policies below. All refunds will be issued as CGScholar Credit The amount refunded will depend upon the date that CGRN receives the request.

  • If a written request for a refund is submitted earlier than 60 days prior to the first day of the conference, the registrant will be refunded 90% of their extras fees as CGScholar Credit.
  • If a written request for a refund is submitted between 60 and 30 days prior to the first day of the conference, the registrant will be refunded 60% of their extras fees as CGScholar Credit.
  • If a written request for a refund is submitted less than 30 days prior to the first day of the conference, the registrant will receive no refund.

Please submit all CGScholar Credit requests to the CGScholar Knowledge Base

3.17 Force Majeure

All parties are relieved from performing their contractual obligations when certain circumstances beyond their control arise, making performance inadvisable, commercially impracticable, illegal, or impossible. The defined circumstances: natural disasters like hurricanes, floods, earthquakes, and weather disturbances (sometimes referred to as "acts of God"), war, terrorism or threats of terrorism, civil disorder, labor strikes or disruptions, fire, disease or medical epidemics or outbreaks, and curtailment of transportation facilities preventing or delaying attendance by at least twenty-five percent of meeting participants.


4. About These Conditions

4.1 Modification

Common Ground Research Networks reserves the right, at its sole discretion, to modify the Site, Services and these Terms, at any time and without prior notice. If we modify these Terms we will post the modification on the Site or provide you with notice of the modification. We will also update the “Last Updated Date” at the top of these Terms. By continuing to access or use the Site or Services after we have posted a modification on the Site or have provided you with notice of a modification, you are indicating that you agree to be bound by the modified Terms. If the modified Terms are not acceptable to you, your only recourse is to cease using the Site and Services

4.2 Indemnity

You agree to defend, indemnify, and hold Common Ground Research Networks, its officers, directors, employees and agents, harmless from and against any claims, liabilities, damages, losses, and expenses, including, without limitation, reasonable legal and accounting fees, arising out of or in any way connected with your access to or use of Common Ground Research Networks Events, Content, or Materials, or your violation of these Terms.

YOU ACKNOWLEDGE AND AGREE THAT, BY ATTENDING AN EVENT OR BY DOWNLOADING OR POSTING ANY CONTENT TO COMMON GROUND RESEARCH NETWORK'S SERVICES, YOU ARE INDICATING THAT YOU HAVE READ, AND THAT YOU UNDERSTAND AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY, THESE TERMS, WHETHER OR NOT YOU HAVE REGISTERED ON OR THROUGH THE SITE. IF YOU DO NOT AGREE TO THESE TERMS, THEN YOU HAVE NO RIGHT TO ACCESS OR USE THE CONTENT OR SERVICES. If you accept or agree to these Terms on behalf of a company, university or other legal entity, you represent and warrant that you have the authority to bind that company, university or other legal entity to these Terms and, in such event, “you” and “your” will refer and apply to that company or other legal entity.


Common Ground Research Networks is not-for-profit corporation registered in the State of Illinois, USA, organized and operated pursuant to the General Not For Profit Corporation Act of 1986, 805 ILCS 105/101.01, et seq., (the "Act") or the corresponding section of any future Act.