Identity-Based Risks

Identity-based risks are risks that are amplified unequally across people depending on certain aspects of their identity. They could come from any dimension of your identity depending on where you are conducting fieldwork and with whom.

Note that there is no ONE identity that is at risk, but there are identities that could be at increased risk due to implicit biases or prejudices, leading to prejudice-driven conflict (including harassment, assault, and murder).

Consequences of Experiencing Identity-Based Risks in Fieldwork

Fieldwork is isolating, usually placing new researchers in an unfamiliar environment and/or in contact with unfamiliar people, which means we can be at higher threat of identity-based risks than in other workplaces.

If you experience conflict because of these risks, you may experience

changes in productivity
short- and long-term mental health impacts
less access to professional development or access to research experiences
increased likelihood to leave the profession
incarceration, injury, or death

For an example of situations where identity-based risks lead to conflict and how to address them, see Demery & Pipkin, 2021.

How can we plan for identity-based risks?

Do your research about your study area’s history of discrimination and potential biases

Consider social risks when planning for fieldwork, not just environmental or job-task related risks. Social risks may include interpersonal relationships with crew members, civil or political unrest, interactions with local communities, interactions with police or military groups, immigration enforcement, and discrimintating laws.

Look up your location's history of safety for different identities. You can use websites like the US State Department's Travel Advisories, ACLU, and LGBT Safety by State.

Ask local contacts for any potential social or political conflicts they can warn you about

Make connections with local community members (before fieldwork if possible). These can be field station managers, local collaborators, or neighbors. Using your best judgement, you can ask them about unrest, threats, discrimination, and things to prepare for.

Ask other scientists who have done work in the same or similar areas for their experience. See if they noticed any cultural differences that may increase identity-based risks.

Provide anonymous ways for people on your team to express identities they possess that may make them more at risk

When you are creating a field safety plan, or updating one for new members joining your crew, you should provide some way for your team to identify personal risks anonymously (if possible).

Consider:

Setting time in the field safety plan meeting to talk about your identity-based risks and give an open floor for anyone else to add their own. It is also ok if they don’t feel comfortable sharing or do not want to.
If you are sending out a form for logistics (housing preferences, dietary restrictions, etc), add a section about identity-based risks with examples.

Discuss ways the team can help and respond to risks that are brought up

Once you have a list of risks to prepare for, you should create plans for addressing them in the field.

STEPS

Ask individuals if they have preferences for how certain hazards or interactions are addressed
Decide on how team members can support each other
Craft a code of conduct to create a culture of respect and inclusivity within your team
Write explicit expectations and consequences for not following team rules about inclusivity

Have an explicit field safety plan with risks and appropriate actions available to everyone on the trip

Remember that everyone on your team should be able to answer:

Where are we going and how are we getting there?
What are the safety protocols on this project?
What is the chain of command for a safety concern? Who is in charge? What is my role and how can I help?
What identity-based incidents have previous team members experienced?
What are the protocols in place that would prevent or protect me in the case of an incident or scenario concerning my identity-based risks or personal safety?

If you would like to know more about how to identify and plan for identity-based risks, consider attending the Identity-Based Risks workshop, offered every semester.