Methods for Young Fieldworkers

Taylor, Liam U.; Michael, Lauren E.

doi:10.1002/bes2.1386

Cited by 1 publication

(1 citation statement)

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“…We recognize that our suggested actions may not be applicable to all institutions, teams, or regions and that each group of collaborators will need to make decisions about how to carry out their own fieldwork as equitably and inclusively as possible. Conducting fieldwork can have a positive, transformative effect on an individual’s and a community's relationship with science and nature; conversely, bad field experiences can discourage students from pursuing careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and can dissuade communities from collaborating with scientific researchers ( 20 , 38 , 96 ). We believe that following the proposed principles can help ensure positive outcomes.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

A set of principles and practical suggestions for equitable fieldwork in biology

Ramírez‐Castañeda

Westeen

Frederick

et al. 2022

Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A.

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Field biology is an area of research that involves working directly with living organisms in situ through a practice known as “fieldwork.” Conducting fieldwork often requires complex logistical planning within multiregional or multinational teams, interacting with local communities at field sites, and collaborative research led by one or a few of the core team members. However, existing power imbalances stemming from geopolitical history, discrimination, and professional position, among other factors, perpetuate inequities when conducting these research endeavors. After reflecting on our own research programs, we propose four general principles to guide equitable, inclusive, ethical, and safe practices in field biology: be collaborative, be respectful, be legal, and be safe. Although many biologists already structure their field programs around these principles or similar values, executing equitable research practices can prove challenging and requires careful consideration, especially by those in positions with relatively greater privilege. Based on experiences and input from a diverse group of global collaborators, we provide suggestions for action-oriented approaches to make field biology more equitable, with particular attention to how those with greater privilege can contribute. While we acknowledge that not all suggestions will be applicable to every institution or program, we hope that they will generate discussions and provide a baseline for training in proactive, equitable fieldwork practices.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%