Fieldwork safety emerges as a structural challenge for ecological research
A new Viewpoint in the journal BioScience argues that gender-based and sexual violence (GBSV) in ecological fieldwork should be understood not as a series of isolated incidents but as a structural problem rooted in how field research is organized, with broad consequences for the knowledge such research produces.
A new Viewpoint in BioScience argues that gender-based and sexual violence (GBSV) in ecological fieldwork should be seen as a structural issue, rather than isolated incidents. Author Eve Afonso at Université Marie et Louis Pasteur, CNRS, explains that the defining characteristics of fieldwork—immersion, close quarters, physical demands, and reliance on senior colleagues—can increase vulnerability while undermining usual safeguards.
She cites research showing that a majority of women have experienced harassment during academic fieldwork, with women of color, LGBTQ+ researchers, and those with disabilities facing compounded negative experiences. Afonso notes that these dynamics can skew research outcomes, as the absence of certain researchers leads to disproportionate power in defining research agendas and geographic coverage.
Sites deemed unsafe may be avoided, creating knowledge gaps, while methods may shift toward more controlled settings. The article advocates for field-specific prevention strategies, such as clear codes of conduct, emergency contacts, accommodations, and team-wide accountability, emphasizing that these measures do not view fieldwork as inherently unsafe but acknowledge its unique challenges.
The broader implication is that uneven participation in field research leads to uneven knowledge production.
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