Field Research

Safely working and conducting research outdoors, off-campus, and abroad.

Mental Health in the Field: Best Practices and Pitfalls

Saira Bano Khan
Cédric John
2021

The goal of this workshop is to increase your awareness of the impact of offsite activities on mental health. We will give a presentation on common problems associated with mental health in the field, looking at small to large group teaching and research expeditions. Some case examples will be given, with an explanation of how the field situation may impact mental health, why, and possible mitigation strategies. Several scenarios will be presented, and groups will be encouraged to discuss, assess and come up with possible solutions.

Speaker(s):

Dr. Saira...

Virtual field tools to establish expectations and reduce anxiety

Ryan Petterson
2022

What is a virtual field tool? What can we do with virtual field tools? Learn about novelty space, cognitive load, and how virtual field tools to establish expectations and reduce anxiety.

Speaker:

Ryan Petterson, Director of Field Education, Stanford University

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Behavioral First Response Skills for the Field

Curt Davidson
2023

Foundational elements from Alpenglow’s Mental and Behavioral Health Promotion Model for behavioral first response in the field.

Speaker: Dr. Curt Davidson, Alpenglow Education, University of Wyoming

Video Materials Got Feedback? 05/03/23 Recording Presentation...

Resilience

Lorca Smetana, Resilience Trainer
2025

Off-Road Driving: Lessons Learned & Precautions

Breezy Jackson
Steven Devanzo
Brett Pickering
Geoff Davis
2023

Panel discussion on lessons learned & precautions to take during off-road driving.

Panelists:

Breezy Jackson, Director, Yosemite & Sequoia Field Stations, University of California Merced

Geoff Davis, Network & Systems Engineer, Geophysics & Planetary Physics, University of California San Diego

Steven Devanzo, Operations Manager, White Mountain Research Center, University of California Los Angeles

Brett Pickering, Boating Safety Officer, Scripps Institute of Oceanography, University of...

Accommodating Researchers with Disabilities in Field Settings

Mallory Melton
2022

Understand the needs of persons with disabilities and learn about best practices for assistance and/or accomodations.

Speaker: Mallory Melton, UC Santa Barbara, Department of Anthropology

Video Materials Got Feedback? 02/26/22 Recording Presentation...

Creating, Enforcing, and Promoting a Safe Fieldwork Culture for Diverse Researchers

Monique Pipkin
Amelia-Juliette Demery
2021

Learn strategies aimed at protecting diverse researchers. As a result of identity prejudice, certain individuals are more vulnerable to conflict and violence when they are in the field. It is paramount that all fieldworkers be informed of the risks some colleagues may face, so that they can define best practice together.

Speaker(s):

Monique Avery Pipkin and Amelia-Juliette Demery
Cornell University, Department of Ecology and Evolutionary Biology

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LGBTQ+ and Safety During Fieldwork

Ronnie Bailey-Steinitz
2022

Out and About? Risks and other challenges of fieldwork for LGBTQIA+ scientists.

Learn about the risks the general risks associated with fieldwork and the added challenges for queer fieldworkers.

Speaker: Ronnie Bailey-Steinitz, UC Santa Barbara, Department of Anthropology

Video Materials Got Feedback? 02/26/22 Recording...

Boundary-setting, Bystander Intervention, and Personal Safety in the Field

Heather Spaulding
2022

Where do you draw the line? Learn about a leader’s role in personal safety, boundaries, and bystander intervention. Topics include: harassment and violence, working in public spaces, bystander intervention strategies, and setting and maintaining boundaries.

Speaker: Heather Spaulding, UC Davis, EH&S

Video Materials Got Feedback? 02/26/22 Recording...

Preventing Sexual Harassment & Assault in the Field Sciences

Melissa Cronin
Roxanne Beltran
Erika Zavaleta
2020

This workshop presents unique risks posed by fieldwork and offers a suite of evidencebased tools for field researchers, instructors, and students to prevent, intervene in, and respond to sexual harassment and assault. Through a series of practical interve ntion scenarios, this workshop guides participants on how to be an active and engaged bystander, how to report incidents, and how to plan field settings to minimize risk. Armed with these tools, participants can play a role in ensuring that field settings are safer, more equitable, and more welcoming for the next generation of field...