{"id":11301,"date":"2024-03-11T15:24:05","date_gmt":"2024-03-11T14:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/geoblog\/?p=11301"},"modified":"2024-03-12T08:38:06","modified_gmt":"2024-03-12T07:38:06","slug":"toward-inclusive-fieldwork-a-handbook-in-the-making","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wp.unil.ch\/geoblog\/en\/2024\/03\/toward-inclusive-fieldwork-a-handbook-in-the-making\/","title":{"rendered":"Toward inclusive fieldwork: A handbook in the making"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Floreana Miesen is a field technician, involved in a variety of field projects at the Institute of Earth Surface Dynamics (IDYST). Natalie Emch is Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) officer at the Faculty of Geoscience and the Environment. Through their involvement in this working group, both would like to ensure fieldwork would be a positive learning and professional experience for all. Three other people are actively working in the group: Prof. Georgina King, Dr Ian Delaney and L\u00e9a Rodari.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Fieldwork constitutes a crucial element in teaching and research within Geography and the Earth and Environmental Sciences. It has a pivotal role in shaping a student\u2019s career trajectory and for accomplishing research objectives. Recognizing its significance has raised the following concern: how can we make fieldwork as inclusive and accessible as possible? In a collaborative effort to address this issue, Floreana Miesen and Natalie Emch are actively engaged in a working group tasked with crafting a toolkit to help make fieldwork more accessible. The aim is to come up with solutions that respond to the various needs, by involving the entire student and research community in the reflection process.<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Can you say more about this working group \u201cA good practice guide for fieldwork\u201d?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

N.E\u00a0:<\/strong>\u00a0The working group endeavors to collect input and advice from members of the FGSE across different perspectives and institutes. Our aim is to produce a\u00a0Handbook of Good practice\u00a0<\/em>\u2013 a useful resource for both teaching staff and students. It will be a support document for preparing and organising any type of field camp, whether for teaching or research purposes. Unlike a set of rigid rules or directives, the\u00a0Handbook\u00a0<\/em>aims to inspire and guide. It will cover aspects such as communication, sanitary installations, accessibility to material to give some examples. We would like the community to know there is a support structure at the faculty to address these challenges related to fieldwork.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What will be the content of this handbook?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

F.M.\u00a0:<\/strong>\u00a0 The document is structured around simple questions for teaching staff and participants. They encompass safety and well-being issues.\u00a0For examples: \u201cHave the participants been informed about the daily schedule, the mobile phone network coverage, local customs\u2026?\u201d – \u201cHave participants been informed of the equipment to bring and how to obtain it?\u201d – \u201cAs a participant, am I uneasy about an issue I wish to raise with the organisers? Is there any constraints I could to share with the organisers, such as family care responsibilities?\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The important point is to foster timely communication and open dialog between organisers and participants. This initiative seeks to raise awareness about the fact that students may not dare to express significant concerns, such as safety and personal needs. It\u2019s central to avoid assuming that everyone has a sleeping bag, has been to the mountain tops or is free of family duty.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u201cThe aim of the document is to remove barriers that can hinder or prevent participation and learning, and to create safe and pleasant conditions for everyone.\u201d<\/p>\n
Floreana Miesen<\/cite><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

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Work in progress – your input\u00a0is welcome!<\/strong><\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

You are a student, a teacher, a researcher at the FGSE and wish to share your experience on the field? Or do you simply want to know more? Feel free to contact the working group ce-fgse@unil.ch<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We are still collecting input from different perspectives and across the three FSGE institutes. For instance, we welcome suggestions about:<\/p>\n\n\n\n