Fieldwork

Throughout its history, UChicago has fostered a rich tradition of fieldwork across various disciplines in the social sciences, from sociology and anthropology to economics. Field research includes a wide variety of methods and approaches to using these methods can vary greatly depending upon discipline.

Field research involves the collection of data in real-world settings, which offers invaluable insights but also presents myriad challenges. Many of such challenges are also common among those conducting research internationally or in partnership with local communities. Common challenges faced by researchers conducting international field work include ensuring the research team’s safety, following shifting geopolitical dynamics, navigating diverse cultural norms and regulatory frameworks, and coordinating work across countries when faced with infrastructure disparities. The resources below offer additional information that may be helpful for researchers conducting fieldwork both domestically and internationally. 

Access the full SSRC Field Research Guide here. 

Preparing for Fieldwork and Best Practices
Budgetting

If you are applying for grant funding to support your research, you will likely be asked for estimates for travel expenses. Regardless of if you are applying for grant support, we recommend that you put your budget in a spreadsheet [you can use this budget template] for easy tracking and the ability to make updates as you move through the process.

Airfare, Transport, and Lodging

  • Make your initial estimates based on the average price for your itinerary.
  • If you are applying for federal funds to support international research, you will need to comply with the Fly America Act, which requires travelers using federal funds to fly U.S. carriers when available.
  • When providing estimates for grant purposes, you should be able to document when and where you found the quotes you are using.
  • For ground transportation, include estimates for all modes of transportation that you will be using.

Meals and Incidentals

  • U.S. State Department Foreign Per Diem Rates are searchable by country and city. The State Department provides maximum lodging rates, as well as Meal & Incidental Expense (M&IE) rates, for U.S. officials who are working overseas. They are good base rates for travelers in general.
  • Students planning long-term research (e.g., one month or more) should not use the full M&IE amount when estimating costs. These rates are based on hotel stays and restaurant meals. 

Related Travel Expenses and Research Expenses

Don’t forget to budget for the following: passport and visa expenses; medical insurance that covers you while abroad (if needed); research materials and equipment; research assistants and/or participant incentives.

Preparing for Travel

Logistical planning is more than arranging for transportation and lodging. These additional steps will enhance your safety, reduce risks, and prepare you for your journey.

UChicago’s Travel Toolkit provides information on funding opportunities, travel planning, managing projects abroad, and other resources all on one website. 

  • The Pre-Departure Checklist includes a timeline and list of important preparations for your trip. Using the checklist will help ensure that you have completed all necessary planning, documentation, and preparation.
  • Passports and Visa resources provides links to the U.S. State Department as well as concierge services to help obtain your visa. Ensure you begin this process months in advance, as application processes can be lengthy.
  • Health and Safety information includes immunizations, health insurance, requirements if you plan to travel to a high-risk destination, and information on traveling with technology.

When you register your academic travel with UChicago Traveler, you are automatically enrolled in UChicago's International Travel Emergency Assistance Program. UChicago partners with International SOS (ISOS) to provide assistance services for University faculty, students, and staff traveling overseas on University-sponsored travel. 

Assessing Potential Field Hazards

For fieldwork in remote and/or hazardous locations, we recommend developing a field safety plan [you can use this template] with site information and emergency procedures. Taking the time to compile a thorough safety plan will prepare you to more effectively manage challenges that arise in the field.

The field safety plan should include:

  • Basic trip information, including dates of travel and contact information
  • Site information, including description of site, travel and site access, security, expected weather, procedures for low and high temperatures, drinking water availability, and access to shade/shelter
  • Emergency services, including local contacts, lodging, emergency communication plan, nearest emergency department, evacuation plans in the event of an emergency, and cell phone coverage
  • Physical/mentals demands
  • Travel immunizations
  • Activities, hazards, and mitigation, including description of activities, field transportation, tools and equipment, hazards, personal protective equipment, first aid training and supplies, and other hazard mitigation
  • Insurance information

  • Personal safety and security considerations

     

Training

Fieldwork-related training can prepare you to work at remote sites and for specific tasks you will undertake in the field. If you are unsure about what kind of training you need, talk to your adviser and fellow students.

First aid training is important due to the remote locations of many field sites and the isolation from emergency medical services. Wilderness first aid training is useful for fieldwork in outdoor or remote sites.

Outdoor survival skills training, such as map-reading, compass use, cross-country navigation, camping, cooking over a fire or with a camp stove, field sanitation practices, and treating drinking water, can also be helpful. 

You may also want to consider training specific to activities you’ll undertake at the field site, including boating (motorboats, kayaks, etc.), climbing, entering confined spaces, etc.

 

Traveling with Medications

Several common U.S. medications and supplements are illegal in other countries or require government authorization before your arrival. These laws affect the importation of medications whether you bring them in personally or they are mailed to you. Check the U.S. embassy website for your destination as well as airline policies about what is prohibited while flying. If your medications are banned or restricted, you should talk to your health care provider about suitable alternatives. 

 

Traveling with Technology

Traveling with your electronic devices requires special precautions. Remote devices and the information they contain should be protected while accessing the internet or not physically under your control. 

IT Services has developed travel tips about traveling with electronic devices such as smartphones, laptops, and tablets. Topics include voice and data on your cell phone plan, connecting to the VPN, and export controls on computers that have encryption software installed on them.

 

Risks to Human Subjects

Research conducted by University investigators in foreign countries remains under University purview and guidelines, including IRB review and approval when applicable.

Researchers are required to comply with local laws and regulations in the country where they are conducting research, and research design must be consistent with local cultural norms. A local IRB/ethics review committee is the best mechanism to ensure compliance with those laws and regulations. If human subjects research activities occur outside of the United States, then local review must be obtained in that country in addition to UChicago IRB submission.

The International Human Subjects Research Standards from the Office of Human Subjects Research in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services provide useful guidance, including research laws, regulations, and guidelines from over 100 countries. You can find a list of IRB/ethics review committees through the Office for Human Research Protections Database (NIH). The “advanced search” feature allows user to search by country for active IRBs.

 

Personal Safety
  • Talk with fellow students and your adviser about the risks, preparations to minimize risk, and reporting mechanisms. If your adviser is dismissive of this conversation, reach out to additional mentors or institutional or industry advocates to have this conversation.
  • The scale of risk can depend on the country in which you will conduct your fieldwork (e.g., elements of identity such as sexual orientation may be criminalized). At minimum, be aware of and abide by any laws and customs.
  • Contact others, especially those who share an at-risk identity, who have previously worked at your field site. This will help you consider the risks at that location.
  • Take advantage of training opportunities to increase field safety and promote awareness. 
Arrival
  • Make sure you have planned for collection on arrival, or that you have a clear plan as to how to travel to your destination safely.
  • Orient yourself—if possible, get a guided tour of the local area from your host. Familiarize yourself with any key locations/contacts.
  • Ensure that you have memorized at least one emergency contact number. Other key contacts should be programmed into your phone AND carried on paper.
Mental Health and Wellbeing

Mental health considerations are not often addressed in field research safety manuals, but they are key to ensuring successful fieldwork and your overall wellbeing.

Considerations/Strategies

  • Create a Safety Card with information on your diagnoses/conditions, field site medications, primary care doctor, field site doctor/hospital, therapist contact information, and emergency contacts.
  • Peer-Support Networks: There are two components to our peer-support networks: field-site peers and peers who know our regular routines. Researchers can create a group of friends and contacts, local academics, and other researchers at a field site, whether or not the site is home for the researcher. It is vital that this includes at least one person whom researchers can ask about informal rules and important logistics, such as doctor recommendations and bureaucratic issues.
  • Clear goals and plans prior to fieldwork set manageable expectations. Create a checklist for setting up fieldwork and a spreadsheet to divide data collection into manageable tasks at the field site.

 

Personal Security Recommendations
  • Engage in fieldwork with another person, when possible. When this is not possible, have a point of contact who is aware of your whereabouts and expected schedule. A written communication plan that gives notice of field plans is another way to maintain communication with a point of contact.
  • Avoid “looking like a tourist” or drawing attention to yourself by: displaying money; taking out a map and studying it in public places; using ATMs in non-secure locations; wearing expensive jewelry; failing to keep focus on your surroundings whilst using cell phones; leaving belongings unattended; establishing patterns of movement and travel routines that do not vary.
  • Always carry credentials in case someone challenges why you are at the field site. These include photo identification and relevant permits.
  • Avoid over-sharing with passing acquaintances and do not share details of travel itineraries. Keep personal and sensitive information in a room or other locked location.
  • If you feel unsafe, you should contact your adviser to discuss ways to modify the project. Since your adviser isn’t in the field with you, they are not necessarily aware of the risks and dangers you are facing. It is paramount that you advocate for yourself.

 

Incident Reporting

Immediately report all work-related catastrophes, serious injuries, or illnesses to your adviser and department.

Emergency Contacts