Time for "Much More Than a First Aid Kit: Keeping Everyone Safe in the FIeld". Very excited! #TWS2020
Looks like a great panel. I don't have all their twitter handles unfortunately, but I do see @biologistimo is part of the panel! #TWS2020
Starting with Dr. Heather Bateman, 'An Academic Perspective: In the Field with Students. #TWS2020
Need to make sure you plan before you go. Vehicles, weather, dehydration... But you need to talk to the students first to manage expectations. High hopes, but low expectations. #TWS2020
Need to be physically, mentally, and logistically prepared (students and faculty). Include appropriate field attire and PPE. #TWS2020
Recognize that many of our students haven't camped or spent time in the field before. Have some peer mentoring, as it provides leadership opportunities. #TWS2020
Important to engage with professionals. Great when you can do it with Alumni, as students are better able to envision themselves in the field. #TWS2020
Make sure that inclusion is part of the culture. That includes using pronouns during introductions! #TWS2020
Relationships and friendships formed on fieldtrips last long after graduation. #TWS2020
Emily Williams, PhD student, is up next, discussing "Field Safety, ensuring you are not up an unlucky creek" #TWS2020
"Fieldwork" is a vague term, as it can mean very different things for different projects, areas, supervisors, etc. #TWS2020
We often get more than what we bargain for in field work. The list of things that can wrong is endless. #TWS2020
I can't believe the experiences she is describing about field work in Peru. Crazy crazy stuff that should never happen in the wildlife field. #TWS2020
You CAN quit. That is her first point. If it is unsafe in anyway, get out. If it is a bad situation, get out. #TWS2020
Plan and prepare as if the world will end. Bring as much of your own personal first aid, survival, communication gear as possible. Assume and expect nothing about your supervisor and what support you will received #TWS2020
Lean on your people. Find your own support network and get their advice before you take a job. If you are already in a bad job, rely on your network to help you. #TWS2020
Take comfort and enjoy what you can! #TWS2020
My take home: We need to do better as a profession to ensure the safety of our students and employees! #TWS2020
Dr. John Koprowski is up next! "Safe and Inclusive Workplaces: towards best practices for biologists in the field" #TWS2020
Men and women want the same things from jobs. And our jobs are pretty great! #TWS2020
The 4 characteristics that create higher levels of risk for sexual harassment are all present in field work. #TWS2020
Need to have clear protocols for dealing with harassment, and follow them. Protect those who have been victims of harassment when they come forward #TWS2020
Best practices: recruit diverse crew and crew leaders. Trainings should include sexual harassment, diversity, and microaggression, even if not required. #TWS2020
Avoid top down dominance models. Address needs one-on-one! Proactively discuss expectations and consequences. Take this seriously! #TWS2020
Provide refuge where people can get away and be safe. Travel in groups of 3 or more. Probationary evaluations. Debrief after field efforts and address dynamics. #TWS2020
Smokey the Bear: Only you can prevent harassment in the workplace. #TWS2020
Silas Fischer, PhD Student, up next... (technical difficulties) #TWS2020
Need to use an intersectional lens, thinking about gender identity and race. #TWS2020
Field work can already be difficult and isolating, but it can be even worse for transgendered people. They face complex and unique issues that cis people don't. #TWS2020
Traveling to field work can be a huge challenge, as trans people do not fit nicely into gendered 'boxes' that TSA uses at airports. Gendered housing is also an issue. #TWS2020
Trans people generally don't have the healthcare they need when in the field. Systemic problem. #TWS2020
Don't make assumptions about peoples gender. Familiarize yourself with pronouns and normalize using those. #TWS2020
Don't misgender someone, but if you do, apologize and move on. #TWS2020
Be a buddy for your trans peers, especially in areas where trans people are not welcomed. #TWS2020
Have gender inclusive and gender neutral options for housing and restrooms, as you may have trans people on your crew who are not "out" yet. #TWS2020
Check in and support your trans colleagues and peers. It goes a long way. #TWS2020
Next up, Dr. Suzie Lavallee. "Safety and Internation Field Schools" #TWS2020
The greatest danger to students... is the students themselves! #TWS2020
Novelty space: Think about what is "new" about the environment they're learning in. Geographic, psychological, cognitive, social. (side note, this seems really applicable during the time of #COVID distance learning, not just for field schools) #TWS2020
Pre-trip workshops to learn how to do what they are going to do in the field, building a social contract for behavior, appropriate clothing and behavior, and behavioral research ethics training. #TWS2020
Monkey safety! Need to learn how to read the behavior of the wildlife you will encounter internationally. #TWS2020
Pre-trip dinners with students who had been part of the previous year(s) of the field school. #TWS2020
Make sure you have diversions. If you don't plan them, the students will and it is better that you are in control of that situation. Group bonding, physical exercise, and social interactions with hosts. #TWS2020
99% of the safety issues arise from group management issues. #TWS2020
Discuss and develop and emergency plan with the students, that they carry with their passport on their person at all times. Critical contact information, etc.
#TWS2020
#TWS2020
Not, edutourism, but training students to be able to work abroad with another culture. #TWS2020
Next up, @biologistimo, "When people are more dangerous than wildlife: considerations for remote field work" #TWS2020
So good to see a land acknowledgement and a statement that #BlackLivesMatter from @biologistimo. There are more important issues that just wildlife, and these are all connected to wildlife as well. #SayHerName #TWS2020
Our greatest concerns in the field are often logistical (data collection, supplies and equipment), and we are training in these, but what about human-human conflict? #TWS2020
Even in extremely remote locations, there was concern that if she worked alone, she may be raped. Crazy to think of the stress that could add to field work. Humans are the most dangerous thing we encounter in the field. #TWS2020
These stories are not rare, and are not just international but can happen in our own backyards. This happens all too frequently and our training often lacks acknowledgement of this reality. #TWS2020
We need to account for some of the greatest dangers in our field, that almost always involve humans. Illegal marijuana grows, hostile hikers, criminal assault, sexual assault. #TWS2020
Not fear mongering, but just practical safety. Have a check in system. Ask about safety concerns at your study site. Ask for relevant supplies. CARRY BEAR SPRAY! That sh*t works on everything! #TWS2020
Institutionally, we must acknowledge these risks and provide training, resources, emergency plans, and mental health support. This is both BEFORE and AFTER field work. #TWS2020
Great discussion here. Thanks @biologistimo. I appreciate your courage in sharing your experiences. #TWS2020
esajournals.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.18… Great resource to prepare for field work. #TWS2020
Unfortunately, I can stick around for discussion as I have another meeting, but this symposium has been fantastic. Thanks all! #TWS2020
Adding in Emily Williams @wayfaringwilly and Silas Fischer @grayvireo since I didn't have their twitter handles at the beginning of the symposium.
Thank you both for your wonderful insights and courage in sharing your stories. #TWS2020
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