FIELDWORK EXPERIENCES OF THE LGBTQ+ GEOSCIENCE COMMUNITY

Most undergraduate geoscience degrees require a field component, and positive experiences in the field have been shown to correlate with the recruitment and retention of students. However, there has been increasing awareness that the field is not equally welcoming: there are gendered risks of sexual harassment and assault, and access is not always possible for students with varying physical abilities or children. However, to date there has not been a focus on lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ+) geologists. Thus, we surveyed 261 LGBTQ+ geoscientists to understand their experiences in the field, particularly as students. Almost 55% of all respondents indicated that they had done field research in an area where they did not feel safe due to their identity or expression, and about a third of the respondents indicated that they have refused to do fieldwork based on their identity and concerns over safety. Even more troubling, graduate students are significantly less likely to have chosen not to do field work than professors. This is likely due to the power imbalances present in graduate school; a graduate student’s research is often done as part of a larger research agenda, thus a student does not always have control over their field site.

These findings are key for developing solutions rooted in adequate support and mentorship. For instance, advisors, faculty, and institutions need to be aware of these issues and educate themselves about potential dangers in field sites. Field work is a crucial part of geology, and it is important that no one gets left out of the opportunity to take part based on who they are. Geology has made great strides in making the field more accessible for many types of geoscientists; our survey makes clear that it is time for the field to rethink and expand its protections for all geoscientists, and an important place to start is with education and awareness.