Fieldwork, including work done at sea, is a key component of many geoscientists’ careers. Recent studies have highlighted the pervasive harassment faced by women and LGBTQ+ people during fieldwork. However, transgender and gender diverse (TGD) scientists face obstacles which have not yet been thoroughly examined. The article’s authors fill this gap by sharing their experiences… Read more »
LTER Diversity Working Group report from the 2012 All Scientists Meeting.
The article from the Huffington Post’s Highline section discusses incidents of gender harassment, hostility, and violence that have occurred during fieldwork within America’s national parks and forests.
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 »
An anonymous contributor shares their experience with a horribly all too common problem with remote field research: sexual harassment.
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 »
This article summarizes survey findings of LGBTQ+ scientists in the geosciences community and highlights the unique challenges they face.
This document is intended to educate staff and students about toilet stops and menstruation in the field. This document also contains a set of recommendations for field work and field trips with the aim of minimizing stress and anxiety for all parties.
Fieldwork is central to the identity, culture and history of academic Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES). However, in this paper we recognize that, for many academic staff, field trips can be a profoundly challenging “ordeal,” ill-conducive to wellness or effective pedagogic practice. Drawing on research with 39 UK university-based GEES academics who self-identify as… Read more »
Successful fieldwork and fruitful academic careers hinge on acknowledging and managing our mental health. This paper discusses peer-support networks, secondary trauma, coping skills, therapy, and researchers’ mental health options before, during, and after fieldwork.
