A set of principles and practical suggestions for equitable fieldwork in biology
Year: 2022
Type: article
Abstract: Field biology is an area of research that involves working directly with living organisms in situ through a practice known as "fieldwork." Conducting fieldwork often requires complex logistical planning within multiregional or multinational teams, interacting with local communities at field sites, and collaborative research led by one or a few of the core team members. However, existing power imbalances stemming from geopolitical history, discrimination, and professional position, among other factors, perpetuate inequities when conducting these research endeavors. After reflecting on our own research programs, we propose four general principles to guide equitable, inclusive, ethical, and safe practices in field biology: be collaborative, be respectful, be legal, and be safe. Although many biologists already structure their field programs around these principles or similar values, executing equitable research practices can prove challenging and requires careful consideration, especially by those in positions with relatively greater privilege. Based on experiences and input from a diverse group of global collaborators, we provide suggestions for action-oriented approaches to make field biology more equitable, with particular attention to how those with greater privilege can contribute. While we acknowledge that not all suggestions will be applicable to every institution or program, we hope that they will generate discussions and provide a baseline for training in proactive, equitable fieldwork practices.
Authors: Valeria Ramírez-Castañeda, Erin P. Westeen, Jeffrey Frederick, Sina Amini, Daniel R. Wait, Anang S. Achmadi, Noviar Andayani, Evy Arida, Umilaela Arifin, Moisés A. Bernal, Elisa Bonaccorso, Marites Bonachita Sanguila, Rafe M. Brown, Jing Che, F. Peter Condori, Diny Hartiningtias, Anna E. Hiller, Djoko T. Iskandar, Rosa Alicia Jiménez, Rassim Khelifa, Roberto Márquez, José G. Martínez-Fonseca, Juan L. Parra, Joshua V. Peñalba, Lina Pinto-García, Onja H. Razafindratsima, Santiago R. Ron, Sara Souza, Jatna Supriatna, Rauri C. K. Bowie, Carla Cicero, Jimmy A. McGuire, Rebecca D. Tarvin
Institutions: Museum of Vertebrate Zoology, University of California, Berkeley, National Research and Innovation Agency, Research Center for Applied Zoology, University of Indonesia, Leibniz Institute for the Analysis of Biodiversity Change, Auburn University, Universidad San Francisco de Quito, Father Saturnino Urios University, University of Kansas, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, National University of Saint Anthony the Abbot in Cuzco, Louisiana State University, Bandung Institute of Technology, Akademi Ilmu Pengetahuan Indonesia, Universidad de San Carlos de Guatemala, University of British Columbia, Concordia University, University of Michigan, Northern Arizona University, Universidad de Antioquia, Museum für Naturkunde, Universidad de Los Andes, University of Oxford, Centro Interdisciplinario de Estudios sobre Desarrollo, University of Antananarivo, Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador
Language: English
Subfield: Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
Open Access status: hybrid
OpenAlex ID: W4292185459