The Safer Fieldwork Project’s main goal is to increase awareness of the importance of researchers’ physical and emotional safety during all stages of fieldwork.
We are working on this on both a practical and a theoretical level, based on a solid empirical foundation. On the practical side, we conceptualize and hold workshops that provide researchers with tools to reflect on their own safety in the field. On the theoretical level, we participate in academic debates on fieldwork methodology. For more information on our motivations, concepts, teaching, positioning, and objectives, see our manifesto.
We base our research on Laura’s extensive academic and professional work on the topic, particularly on the insights gained through her empirical PhD project on gendered risks and safety in fieldwork. Additionally, we draw on our own experiences with (ethnographic) fieldwork, literature, and extensive discussions across disciplines.
The initiative was launched in May 2021, when the founding members Tamara Gupper, Kira Kreft and Laura Thurmann first got together in an online call to discuss a potential first workshop. When we had successfully held that first workshop, we felt that our collaboration should not end there – and simply kept going!
This is our current team:
