It’s no wonder PhD scholars have to spend lots of time in fieldwork in unfamiliar environments. This process is rewarding, but a bit risky too. PhD scholars might encounter lots of unexpected problems such as difficulty in acclimatising in a new environment, violence, harassment, and so on. When it comes to exposing the risky environment during PhD programmes, universities should take responsibilities toward scholars’ safety. However, PhD scholars should also discuss their problems openly.
Tell about difficulties
Some universities invite PhD scholars for open discussion where they can tell their problems and difficulties faced in work fields. However, most universities are not still able to focus on PhD candidates difficulties, but this doesn’t mean that you can’t talk to your university staff regarding this. You should openly talk about your experiences of handling difficult situations. You should have frank conversations with your supervisors who will tell you ways how you can cope up with difficulties during your fieldwork. If you get any chance to attend training seminars, you should attend them. Pre-field seminars are held for preparing researchers to tackle difficulties. You will get an orientation what should be done in a particular situation.
Visit or contact early
Many PhD scholars feel isolated from their native university when they are sent to another location for their research work. Usually universities provide physical and mental assistance to their researchers when they are from afar. However, it’s pretty obvious that your supervisors and university will not be aware of the intensity of problems you will be facing there. For instance, if you have been sent to the Middle East where you find the extreme level of violence, what will you do to protect yourself from physical and mental sufferings? You should know how to tackle these conflicts. Many PhD scholars have scattered around the world and undertaking fieldwork under the risks that they are oblivious to. Even if you slightly sense such kind of situation, you should talk to your supervisors immediately. Report them everything, and try to schedule meeting so that both of you can harness strategies to promote protection. If meetings are not possible, you should find other ways to communicate such as Skype, emails etc to ensure your safety.
Contingency plans
Contingency plans are essential as it’s impossible to predict all possible problems that PhD scholars might encounter during their fieldwork. Contingencies plan can help a lot, especially in ethnographic fieldwork. These plans may include telephone, message, email alerts, and action plans such as how to leave a country in case of political coup or terrorist attacks. You should discuss these strategies with your supervisor. During your fieldwork you should be in contact with your supervisor through Skype, messages, and emails. This promotes trust, and you will feel secure.
Establish local networks
You should establish local networks in the area where you are sent for your fieldwork. You should talk to local people and your colleagues so that you can build up relationships with them. This will help you get formal support when you will need it. You should listen to recommendations of local people. However, at the same time you should also be careful to keep yourself from getting into toxic relationships.
Though training sessions can never give cent percent solutions to all anticipated problems emerging in fieldwork, increased attention to these problems can mitigate the risk and promote the safety of PhD scholars.