journal article Sep 06, 2021

Six simple steps towards making GEES fieldwork more accessible and inclusive

Area Vol. 54 No. 1 pp. 52-59 · Wiley
View at Publisher Save 10.1111/area.12747
Abstract
AbstractFieldwork is a defining aspect of Physical Geography, Earth and Environmental Science (GEES) programme curricula. At its best, fieldwork offers students valuable opportunities to develop independent research skills in real‐world situations, examine analogues for a range of scientific concepts, and socialise with peers. It offers experiences that are challenging to replicate using virtual/remote learning. However, at its worst, traditional fieldwork practice and culture can present barriers to access and hostile environments that epitomise the broader equity, diversity, and inclusivity problems faced by GEES disciplines. With the role of fieldwork increasingly being called into question, here we promote simple adaptations that can make fieldwork more accessible and enjoyable for all.
Topics

No keywords indexed for this article. Browse by subject →

References
51
[1]
Abeyta A. Fernandes A.M. Mahon R.C.&Swanson T.E.(2021)The true cost of field education is a barrier to diversifying geosciences.EarthArXiv. Available from:https://doi.org/10.31223/X5BG70. [Accessed 16th August 2021]. 10.31223/x5bg70
[2]
Advance H.E.(2018)Religion and belief: Supporting inclusion of staff and students in higher education and colleges. Available from: https://www.advance‐he.ac.uk/knowledge‐hub/religion‐and‐belief‐supporting‐inclusion‐staff‐and‐students‐higher‐education‐and. [Accessed 16th August 2021].
[3]
Anadu J.(2020 June 22).Black thoughts: Hazards of field work while Black [Video].Youtube. Available from:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W0B7xwGkl00. [Accessed 16th August 2021].
[7]
Batty L.&Worsfold(2021 March 17).Post‐COVID teaching in ecology – Reflections from our BES Festival of Ecology workshop.BES Teaching and Learning. Available from: https://besteachingandlearning.wordpress.com/2021/03/17/post‐covid‐teaching‐in‐ecology‐reflections‐from‐our‐bes‐festival‐of‐ecology‐workshop/. [Accessed 16th August 2021].
[11]
Collins T. (2016)
[15]
Dzomback R.(2020a July 22).It’s time to change the geosciences’ outdated exclusionary and ableist field requirements.Sister. Available from:https://sisterstem.org/2020/07/22/its‐time‐to‐change‐the‐geosciences‐field‐requirements/
[16]
Dzomback R.(2020b October 28).Queer visibility in geoscience has been almost nonexistent for decades. A new generation is working to change that.Speaking of Geoscience™. Available from:https://speakingofgeoscience.org/2020/10/28/queer‐visibility‐in‐geoscience‐has‐been‐almost‐nonexistent‐for‐decades‐a‐new‐generation‐is‐working‐to‐change‐that/. [Accessed 12th August 2021].
[17]
Equality Change Unit(2009)Religious observance in higher education: Facilities and services. Available from: https://www.ecu.ac.uk/publications/religious‐obs‐facilities. [Accessed 12th August 2021].
[19]
Fitzpatrick A.(2020 March 17).You will never be Indiana Jones.Lady Science. Available from:https://www.ladyscience.com/essays/you‐will‐never‐be‐indiana‐jones‐toxic‐masculinity‐archaeology. [Accessed 16th August 2021].
[20]
Gendered Intelligence. (2020)All gender toilet signs. Available from:http://genderedintelligence.co.uk/professionals/resources/toilets. [Accessed 17th August 2021].
[23]
Greene S. Ashley K. Dunne E. Edgar K. Giles S.&Hanson E.(2020)Toilet stops in the field: An educational primer and recommended best practices for field‐based teaching.OSF Preprints. Available from:https://doi.org/10.31219/osf.io/gnhj2 10.31219/osf.io/gnhj2
[28]
iCRAG. (2021)EDIG Conference. Available from:https://www.icrag‐centre.org/edig/conference/. [Accessed 17th August 2021].
[29]
Jackson P. (1968)
[30]
Jackson C.(2021 March 1).Some barriers are invisible. Geoscientist Spring 202 16. Available from:https://geoscientist.online/wp‐content/uploads/2021/03/GEO_SPRING_2021_WEB.pdf. [Accessed 16th August 2021]. 10.1144/geosci2021-001
[32]
Larson C.(2020 September 15).Calling out racism Black scientists say they face discrimination while doing fieldwork.Chicago Sun Times. Available from:https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/9/15/21436543/black‐scientists‐racism. [Accessed 12th August 2021].
[33]
Litchfield E.(2020) ‘Widespread ableism is exhausting’: What it’s like being a disabled student at Soton.The Southampton Tab. Available from:https://thetab.com/uk/soton/2020/10/20/how‐soton‐uni‐are‐failing‐disabled‐students‐84771. [Accessed 12th August 2021].
[34]
Mackay A.(2021 April 27). Out in the field.Geography Directions: Pride in the field. Available from:https://blog.geographydirections.com/2021/04/27/out‐in‐the‐field/. [Accessed 12th August 2021].
[37]
Murphy V.(2020 July 3)Geoscience course stops running Oman fieldtrip to be more inclusive. [Press release]. Available from:https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/198915/geoscience‐course‐stops‐running‐oman‐fieldtrip/. [Accessed 12th August 2021].
[38]
Nairn K. "Parties on geography fieldtrips: Embodied fieldwork?" Women's Studies Journal (1996)
[40]
Office for National Statistics(2020)Child poverty and education outcomes by ethnicity. Available from:https://www.ons.gov.uk/economy/nationalaccounts/uksectoraccounts/compendium/economicreview/february2020/childpovertyandeducationoutcomesbyethnicity#child‐poverty‐and‐ethnicity. [Accessed 12th August 2021].
[43]
Prior‐Jones M. Pinnion J. Millet M.‐A. Bagshaw E. Fagereng A.&Ballinger R.(2020 May 4‐8)An inclusive risk assessment tool for travel and fieldwork. [Conference presentation].EGU General Assembly 2020 Online. 0.5194/egusphere‐egu2020‐7678 2020
[44]
Quality Assurance Agency. (2019a)Subject Benchmark Statement: Earth Sciences Environmental Sciences and Environmental. Studies. Available from:https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/subject‐benchmark‐statements/subject‐benchmark‐statement‐earth‐sciences‐environmental‐sciences‐and‐environmental‐studies.pdf. [Accessed 17th August 2021].
[45]
Quality Assurance Agency. (2019b)Subject Benchmark Statement: Geography. Available from:https://www.qaa.ac.uk/docs/qaa/subject‐benchmark‐statements/subject‐benchmark‐statement‐geography.pdf. [Accessed 17th August 2021].
[46]
Scarpelli A.(2017 19 October).How I realized that LGBT+ scientists like me can inspire others in their field.Massive. Science. Available from:https://massivesci.com/articles/stem‐lgbt‐diversity‐science/. [Accessed 17th August 2021].
[50]
Stonewall. (2018).LGBT in Britain ‐ Trans report. Available from:https://www.stonewall.org.uk/lgbt‐britain‐trans‐report. [Accessed 17th August 2021].

Showing 50 of 51 references

Metrics
33
Citations
51
References
Details
Published
Sep 06, 2021
Vol/Issue
54(1)
Pages
52-59
License
View
Cite This Article
Anya Lawrence, Natasha Dowey (2021). Six simple steps towards making GEES fieldwork more accessible and inclusive. Area, 54(1), 52-59. https://doi.org/10.1111/area.12747