Creating a Code of Conduct

This short online course guides student leaders through the essentials of creating, adopting, and implementing a Code of Conduct for their organisation. In just 1.5 hours, participants will learn why a Code of Conduct matters, what it should contain, how to handle reports fairly, and how to ensure it remains effective over time.

The course is designed for elected officers, committee members, volunteers, and anyone involved in student governance who wants to strengthen their organisation’s culture, safety, and legitimacy.

Through clear, text-based lessons and short knowledge quizzes, you will explore:

• The purpose and benefits of a Code of Conduct.

• Core elements, including scope, expected behaviours, and prohibited conduct.

• How to design fair reporting and response processes.

• The role of autonomy and legitimacy in enforcement.

• Practical steps for launching, training, monitoring, and reviewing your Code.

By the end of the course, you will be able to draft a basic Code of Conduct framework tailored to your organisation’s needs, and you’ll have the knowledge to implement it effectively and fairly.