FIELDSAFE: A PROGRAM PROVIDING TRAINING AND TOOLS TO CREATE SAFE, INCLUSIVE AND WELCOMING FIELD ENVIRONMENTS IN THE GEOSCIENCES

Field-based research is integral to many geoscientific studies. Fieldwork occurs in a variety of settings, often at remote sites for extended periods of time with limited or no opportunity to leave or report incidents. It is frequently conducted in small groups away from familiar support networks, which can elicit feelings of physical and social isolation. Furthermore, fieldwork requires participants to navigate complex power dynamics within a team while being subjected to increased or unfamiliar hazards, and demanding, physically strenuous work. These conditions can create challenges and stress that intensify vulnerability to bullying, harassment, and other identity-based exclusionary behaviors, such as racism, ableism, and homophobia in the field. Here we present FieldSafe, a new program designed to provide training, tools, support and advocacy to the development of an inclusive, welcoming, harassment-free field work environment in the Geosciences. The program builds on an existing field safety hybrid workshop series designed for all research team participants, from seasoned academics to undergraduate students, with expertise from the ADVANCEGeo Partnership program. In addition to traditional field risk management topics, FieldSafe’s content focuses on tools to help create supportive field team environments including Codes of Conduct, practicing open communication through debriefing, and exploring decision-making styles that promote supportive group culture. FieldSafe shares strategies and tools for navigating interpersonal conflicts or microaggressions, including bystander intervention training, to create a safe field culture for all involved. We will share evaluation findings and discuss an upcoming expansion of the program’s scope and reach through its evolution into a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) and the development of a Toolkit for field managers. With these developments, FieldSafe’s accessibility is evolving to include all members of the geoscience fieldwork community.