Empowering Fieldwork: A Positive Perspective on Respect, Inclusion, and Responsibility

Fieldwork is a vital component of geoscience research, providing unique opportunities for data collection, hands-on learning, and team collaboration. While discussions on fieldwork often center around challenges—such as exclusion, harassment, and inequality—it’s equally important to highlight positive experiences and the factors that contribute to them.

I aim to share my personal experiences as an early-career scientist of how respect, trust and inclusion in my teams on various occasions fostered productive and empowering environments. From short field trips in Austria to organizing an international field campaign in Bolivia and managing logistical efforts for a month-long expedition in Greenland, I have consistently felt valued as an equal contributor, regardless of my career stage. I will discuss key practices that made these experiences successful: encouraging early-career researchers to take on responsibilities, fostering open communication, and promoting shared decision-making. These approaches not only helped build my confidence but also contributed to the overall success of the field campaigns.

By sharing lessons learned from these experiences, this contribution aims to suggest practical strategies for building positive and inclusive fieldwork environments. While it is essential to acknowledge and address the difficulties some face, presenting successful examples can inspire teams to create a culture of mutual respect and trust. This perspective encourages reflection on how we can collectively ensure that fieldwork remains a safe, supportive, and enriching experience for all.