Purpose and Default Practice

This policy is intended to balance two important commitments: making our events more accessible to members, and preserving the collegial, candid atmosphere that allows meaningful academic exchange to take place.

The Religion and Public Education Research Unit’s preference is to record its hybrid events so that members who are unable to attend live can still engage with the shared content. At the start of each event, the host or facilitator will, however, check in with participants about recording the session. The group will collectively decide whether the session is recorded, whether only part of the session is recorded, whether audio-only recording is used, or whether the event remains off the record.

Internal Use and Storage

All recordings are for internal Unit use only. They are not intended for public distribution and may not be shared with anyone outside the Religion and Public Education Research Unit. Recordings and related media files will be stored only in AAR-NE-controlled accounts or approved systems. Depending on the format of the event, recordings may include audio, video, screen sharing, slides, chat, or transcripts. The Unit may review, restrict, or remove recordings when they are no longer needed or when concerns arise.

Sensitive or Off-the-Record Material

When sensitive, unpublished, preliminary, or personal material is being discussed, presenters or participants may ask that recording be paused, limited, or stopped. These requests should be respected whenever possible. The facilitator should make clear when recording starts, pauses, resumes, or ends.

Member Responsibilities

Members who access recordings are expected to treat them as shared internal resources. Recordings, audio files, transcripts, screenshots, links, chat logs, or other event materials should not be posted publicly, circulated externally, downloaded to personal accounts, or used outside the purposes of Unit participation without permission.

Members should also use care when quoting or circulating ideas from discussion, especially when work is unpublished or shared in confidence.