CERF 2023 Workshop

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Fostering Inclusive Fieldwork Experiences

Sunday, 12 November, 2023 

10:00 AM – 12:00 PM | $26 Regular Price | $18 Student Price

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About This Workshop

Across all disciplines, fieldwork can present unique challenges, such as working in remote locations or sharing accommodations. Whether you’ve recently entered the field, or you’re managing large research groups, this workshop is for you! This two-hour panel and breakout discussion will cover best practices for fostering inclusive and safe field experiences among researchers and students of all identities. Topics will include field safety considerations; physical and financial access to field environments; accessible field equipment and attire; fostering an open and safe culture of dialog about concerns in the field; and potential steps for furthering inclusivity in your own work.

To enrich our breakout discussions, attendees are asked to come prepared with a few examples of positive fieldwork experiences and/or successful strategies for enhancing inclusive fieldwork. Following the workshop, hosts will compile a resources document including main takeaways from panelists and breakout discussions to be shared with all participants.

About the Presenters

Anjali D. Boyd

Anjali D. Boyd (she/her) is a marine ecologist, educator, entrepreneur, and elected official. At Duke University, she is a Marine Science and Conservation Ph.D. Candidate in the Nicholas School of the Environment. Her research focuses on developing more efficient and cost-effective restoration and management practices to restore and conserve vulnerable marine ecosystems in both temperate and tropical environments and in a variety of marine ecosystems (e.g., seagrass, salt marshes, mangroves, and coral reefs). Through her research endeavors, Anjali aspires to help bridge the gap between community ecology, restoration ecology, and coastal resource economics and management. As a field ecologist, she has developed a suite of best practices to create a more inclusive space for herself and her students; two of her golden rules for field work is to never do field work alone and to always bring a satellite GPS/phone in case of emergencies.
Trevyn Toone

Trevyn Toone (he/they) is a postdoctoral researcher at North Carolina State University. Trevyn has worked in a variety of coastal ecosystems over the last eight years including seagrass beds, salt marshes, and shellfish reefs, primarily in North Carolina and New Zealand.  When it comes to fieldwork inclusivity, his biggest recommendation is to act proactively rather than reactively by talking through potential risks and safety measures with your team before they are actually needed.