4 Unique perspectives on women doing field-based research
On this International Women's Day, let's turn our focus to the important yet often overlooked aspect of women's safety in research fieldwork. For many female researchers, venturing into the field comes with unique risks that can impact their work and even their well-being. From traveling to remote locations to facing gender-based discrimination, women encounter various obstacles that can jeopardize their work and safety. In this blog post, I've compiled a series of insightful articles that shed light on these challenges and propose actionable steps to create safer environments for women conducting fieldwork. Join me as we explore ways to empower women researchers on their journey in the field.
Picture yourself as a female researcher out in the field, miles away from civilization, needing a bathroom break. It's a real dilemma, isn't it? This blog post sheds light on the often-overlooked struggles women face during fieldwork from managing bathroom breaks to maintaining menstrual hygiene. On the positive side, the article discusses how conversations around field sanitation are starting to gain traction.
Women are not safe even in the most remote locations on Earth like Antarctica as underscored in a report by The National Science Foundation (NSF). Delving into solutions, this article discusses the innovative work of researchers Alice Hill and Kristy Tiampo, who created an online training initiative called FieldSafe to ensure safety and combat harassment during field expeditions.
In this piece, the author talks about the gritty realities encountered by women in field-based research. She paints a vivid picture of women who juggle parenthood with expeditions while facing systemic barriers. She suggests that universities and funding agencies should offer more support for fieldwork and make systemic changes to enable women and underrepresented minorities to lead the charge in scientific exploration.
Dealing with your period while doing fieldwork in the Arctic or Antarctic can be quite challenging, isn’t it? How female researchers manage menstruation during polar fieldwork and the efforts to break the silence around this is the focus of the article. It emphasizes the importance of open dialogue, support from colleagues, and inclusive training to ensure all researchers work comfortably and safely in extreme environments.
Female researchers doing fieldwork navigate unique risks that can impact their ability to contribute to scientific progress. By delving into the articles featured here, we embark on a journey to understand the challenges they face and advocate for their safety and success.
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