HackTheBurgh is intended to be a fun, safe, and inclusive environment for hackers. To ensure that every hacker is given an equal opportunity in a welcoming environment, everyone taking part must follow this code.
It applies to participants, organisers, volunteers, sponsors, speakers, mentors, judges and vendors, both at the venue and in event-related online spaces and communications.
Taking part
We ask that all attendees approach HackTheBurgh with good intentions, kindness and a spirit of fun. Be welcoming and helpful to everyone, even if you’ve not met them before. Above all, make it a great experience for you and everyone else!
- Respect other people’s boundaries, privacy and property.
- Follow reasonable safety instructions from organisers and venue staff.
- Ask before photographing or recording someone, and respect their answer.
- Be kind to our volunteers, organisers and vendors. HackTheBurgh is entirely student run.
Competition restrictions
Participants must be current students or have graduated within the last 12 months, and must be at least 18 years old when the event starts.
- Only work built during the official hackathon period will be considered for prizes.
- Publicly available open-source code and libraries may be used. Follow their licences and clearly identify what your team has built.
- Submitting another group’s or individual’s work as your own is cheating and may result in disqualification.
- Disclose pre-existing code, APIs, libraries and other external contributions. Misrepresentation of your hack, accidental or not, is considered cheating.
- Follow the published submission deadlines and any additional rules for the challenges you enter.
The HackTheBurgh team reserves the right to disqualify projects for other forms of cheating not explicitly specified here. Ask an organiser before submitting if you are unsure whether something is permitted.
Harassment
HackTheBurgh follows the University of Edinburgh’s Dignity and Respect Policy. Harassment includes offensive conduct, inappropriate behaviour and unwelcome sexual attention, including improper verbal behaviour related to gender, race, age, sexual orientation, disability, nationality or religion.
Everyone attending the hackathon is expected to comply with this policy. Sponsors are subject to the same standards as hackers and volunteers. Threats, stalking, unwanted physical contact and sharing someone’s private information without permission are also unacceptable.
Reporting a concern
If you feel that you are being harassed, observe another person being harassed, or have any other concerns, speak to an organiser or email hello@hacktheburgh.com. You do not need to confront the person involved. If your concern involves an organiser, you can speak to another organiser or venue staff.
Reports will be handled sensitively. Information will be shared only where needed to respond to the concern, protect someone’s safety or meet a legal obligation. We cannot promise absolute confidentiality.
For immediate danger or a medical emergency, call 999. University of Edinburgh Campus Security can be reached on 0131 650 2257. Further reporting and support options are available through Respect at Edinburgh.
How organisers may respond
If a participant engages in inappropriate conduct, the HackTheBurgh team may issue a warning, restrict participation, disqualify a project or require someone to leave. Serious concerns may be referred to the venue, the University or the emergency services.
Failure to follow this code may also affect eligibility for future events. Any consequences for prizes or travel reimbursement must follow the applicable event terms. Where it is safe and practical, organisers will explain their decision and give the person concerned an opportunity to respond. Immediate action may be needed to protect others.
You can ask for a decision to be reviewed by emailing hello@hacktheburgh.com. Reporting a concern in good faith must not lead to retaliation.
Questions and updates
Please contact hello@hacktheburgh.com with questions about this code. Any changes will be published on this page and material changes communicated to attendees.
Acknowledgements
Adapted from the HackTheBurgh XI Code of Conduct, which took inspiration from the IC Hack ‘25 Code of Conduct and HackMIT 2024 Code of Conduct.
Last updated 13 September 2026.