Survey of Academic Field Experiences (SAFE): Trainees Report Harassment and Assault

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A survey of field scientists reveals that experiences of sexual harassment and assault are common, particularly among women trainees who are often targeted by senior team members, while male trainees face harassment from peers. Many respondents were unfamiliar with codes of conduct or reporting mechanisms and were dissatisfied with the outcomes when they did report… Read more »

Trigger Warning: How to Take Care

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An anonymous contributor shares their experience with a horribly all too common problem with remote field research: sexual harassment.

Signaling Safety: Characterizing Fieldwork Experiences and Their Implications for Career Trajectories

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This study presents a qualitative analysis of field researchers’ experiences based on interviews, focusing on both positive and negative aspects of conducting academic research in the field. It identifies two main issues: unclear professional behavior guidelines at field sites and difficulties accessing professional resources and opportunities. Respondents reported a lack of consequences for breaches of… Read more »

Mental health in the field

This article speaks to the importance of mental health in field work and summarizes the factors that impact mental health in the field.

Safety and Belonging in the Field: A Checklist for Educators

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A comprehensive checklist that seeks to make fieldwork a “positive, generative, collective, and valuable experience for all participants.” Written by authors with a wide range of backgrounds and field experiences, this document stresses inclusivity over each step in the fieldwork process, from planning to the return and debrief.