Embedded Files
All kinds of fieldwork can involve social situations that may increase risks. This page is intended to address social risks for all scientists. If you are looking for resources on unique challenges for social scientists who work in communities, do interviews, and navigate complex conversations, please see this page.
De-escalation Techniques
De-escalation Techniques
When someone's needs aren't being met or they don't feel safe, they may escalate a situation in a way that makes it unsafe for others around them. Escalation can occur when people are experiencing distress, conflict, trauma, or mental health crises. In these situations, it is important to prioritize de-escalation for the safety of everyone involved.
Identifying Escalation
Identifying Escalation
Example Causes of Escalation in Work
clashing personalities or values
poor communication
not enough clarity on tasks or roles
overwhelming workloads
exclusion and marginalization
Signs of Escalation
raised voices
increase of pitch
offensive language
parroting
threatening violence
nonverbal cues such as
pacing
flushed face
invading personal space
balling up fists
clenching jaw
change in eye contact
sticking out their chest with arms out
Once you have identified that a situation may be escalating, you want to take quick, confident action to de-escalate.
De-escalation Techniques
De-escalation Techniques
When we approach a heightned situation, we need to prioritize helpful discussions, relationship building, and nonverbal communication that assists the person in feeling safe and grounded.
We need to reduce immediate threats by staying calm, actively listening, and minimizing harm. De-escalation can be a very useful tool to assist people experiencing distress, keep nearby people safe, stabilize situations, and prevent the need for law enforcement intervention.
Strategies to De-escalate
Communicate: First, you need to evaluate the situation to determine the right path forward. This starts with communicating with the person experiencing conflict.
Provide your undivided attention and make it clear that you are listening without judgement.
Avoid criticizing, name calling, engaging in power struggles, ordering them to do anything, threatening them, minimizing their experiences, or arguing with them.
Shift the conversation to the future and create hope.
Connect with the Person
If you know this person, relate to them through your past connection.
If this is a stranger, ask for their name and use it frequently when trying to connect with them. Introduce yourself as well.
Focus on Feelings: Validate the person's feelings and experience regardless of whether you agree with them. This allows you to build rapport and trust. Say things like "That must be [scary, frustrating, upsetting]" to show that you understand. Avoid telling them to calm down.
Take a Moment of Silence: Give the person space to think of an answer or process their emotions if they don't answer right away. It is not always helpful to pepper someone with questions or running commentary while they are in conflict.
Clarify what They Say: Keep asking questions to ensure you understand their perspective and that they feel heard and supported by you. Paraphrase what they have said and keep questions open-ended. For example, you might say something like "I want to make sure I understand exactly why you are upset. You feel that ..."
Try to Get Them to Say Yes: When you are paraphrasing, try to form a bond by asking questions they will say yes to. If they are agreeing with you, it can help reduce their anger at you. For example, "so you are unhappy about ..., is that correct?"
Respect Their Personal Space: We want to utilize body language to communicate that we are safe and empathetic, not dangerous or suffocating.
Be aware of your posture, position, and proximity to the person in conflict. If you absolutely must enter their personal space, annouce that to the person, ask for their concent, and explain your motivations.
For your own safety, stay far enough away from the person so that they can't hit, kick, or grab you. Stay at an angle or off to the side of them if possible.
Use Positive Body Language: Smile, move slowly, talk gently. Use a lower or dull tone of voice. Stay at their eye level. See more recommendations below.
Remain in Control: Don't allow yourself to get out of control or worked up during the interaction.
Think positive thoughts such as "I can handle this" and "I know what to do." Be aware, however, of when those things are no longer true and you need to ask for help.
Take deep breaths before and during the conversation.
If the person questions your authority, redirect their attention to the issue you are currently dealing with. Ignore the challenge but not the person.
Formulate a Plan: Think through the potential outcomes based on the behavior and mental state of the conflicted person before making any plan of action.
Set Limits: As you work through a crisis, provide respectful, simple, and reasonable limits by offering concise choices and consequences. Be as clear as possible so the person has an easier time focusing and understanding what is happening and being offered.
Work Together: If others are around you, bring them in to help back you up and keep the situation stable.
Stay Positive: Keep your language positive and avoid saying things like "I can't handle this right now." Try to communicate an earnest care to the person in conflict and a believe that you both can navigate the bad situation. Ignore if they insult you.
Understand Your Limits: Know when you need to call in backup, especially if you believe you are causing additional escalation.
Debrief: Talk through the experience with your team at a later date. Identify ways to avoid situations like this in the future and brainstorm additional ways to de-escalate if you end up in a similar situation again.
Remember to stay aware during your de-escalation. Look for body language that may indicate that the person will act violently soon. While you get help, evaluate your plan of escape and never turn your back to them. Stay aware of who is around, what objects are nearby, and all entrances and exits.
Preventing Escalation
Preventing Escalation
In some cases, escalation is unavoidable, but we can set standards, codes of conduct, and systems in place to prevent and respond to escalation in a way that is least traumatic for all people involved when we plan ahead.
To avoid escalation within your team,
minimize points of stress in your work. Set clear, reasonable expectations for work tasks.
create a code of conduct or culture of support where everyone is encouraged to bring up issues when they are small, feel supported to navigate that conflict in a safe way, and don't get discouraged by team members.
establish expectations for conflict resolution and keeping open lines of communication.
To address escalation with outside members of the community,
ensure all members of your team are trained in de-escalation.
establish a point person to take the lead on communication with the person in crisis.
make sure you have a plan to provide support for the communicator without having too many people crowding a person in crisis.
When is De-escalation Not Appropriate?
When is De-escalation Not Appropriate?
When possible, we want to utilize de-escalation techniques. However, not every situation can be handled this way. The following are examples of cases when de-escalation is not appropriate:
in situations that require law enforcement intervention such as an active shooter scenario or when there is an imminent threat of bodily harm to one's self or others
when the situation is outside of the scope of your capabilities or comfort
when the individual has demonstrated an unwillingness to listen or be compliant
when the individual has demonstrated the ability to self-soothe
when trust has been lost or broken
when the individual is getting increasingly agitated
when you are exhausted
when the attempts to de-escalate have been an additional stressor, like when too many people are involved
when it is clear that professional assistance is required (medically, theraputically, etc)
When escalation is not stopping, trust is not possible, or you have exhausted all other options, you need to seek additional support from others such as emergency services and crisis responders.
Sources
https://www.mandtsystem.com/programs-pricing/deescalation-training/
https://www.councilforthehomeless.org/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/De-Escalation-Training-PDF.pdf
https://www.cisa.gov/sites/default/files/2022-11/De-Escalation_Final%20508%20%2809.21.21%29.pdf
https://www.cms.gov/files/document/de-escalation-strategies-service-toolkit-final-2025.pdf
https://www.rtdna.org/news/safe-training-part-3-verbal-de-escalation
Bystander Intervention
Bystander Intervention
Sometimes, you are in a situation where conflict is occurring that does not involve you. It is important to feel confident in your skills and ability to help so that you avoid being a bystander to harassment, abuse, or violence. Stepping in to help protects the people being harmed and can provide you an opportunity to de-escalate the person driving the conflict (see recommended tactics above).
Avoiding the Bystander Effect
Avoiding the Bystander Effect
The bystander effect occurs when multiple people witness a discriminatory or emergency situation and do nothing because they assume that someone else will step up. This may happen because we don't think we can help, we don't think we will be taken seriously, we fear retribution, we are intimidated by the person harassing the other, or we are conflict avoidant.
To avoid being a bystander that does not intervene,
Notice discriminatory or emergency situations and interpret it
Evaluate the incident's problematic nature and decide if it needs intervention
Take responsibility for intervention
Know and decide how to approach the situation (with the 5 Ds)
Choose to take action
Five Ds of Bystander Intervention
Five Ds of Bystander Intervention
Distract: By distracting, you can derail the incident by interrupting it. Ignore the person who is harassing and engage directly with the person being harassed. Don't address the harassment, and talk about something completely unrelated instead. Examples include:
Pretend to be lost and ask for directions from the person being harassed
Ask for the time
Pretend you know them and start up a conversation
Get in between the two people
"Accidentally" spill or drop something to cause a commotion
Offer to walk the person to another location or to their car
Delegate: You can ask a third party to help intervene. You need the delegate to be ready and willing to help. Be direct in asking for help. If you don't have anyone with you, approach an authority figure like a store manager, bus driver, or teacher.
An example includes saying to your Delegate: “I think the person with the red hat is making the one in the blue jacket uncomfortable. Can you help me get them out of the situation? Can you Distract by standing in between the two while I go ask if ‘Blue Jacket’ is okay?”
Avoid delegating to the police unless the person being harassed has consented and asked for you to call them.
Document: Taking notes, photos, and videos of the incident can help for future action once the event is over. Only take this action if someone is already helping the person being harassed. Ask the person who was harassed what they want you to do with the documentation after the fact. Don't post it online.
Delay: When we can't act in the moment, you should respond after a delay. Speak to the person after the event to validate their feelings, ask if they are ok, determine any form of support they would like for you to provide, and share resources.
Direct: If you feel the situation calls for it and it won't escalate the issue, be direct in your actions. You can confront the person who is harassing the other. Make sure you and the harassed person are physically safe and that the person wants someone to speak up for them.
Keep your intervention short and succint. Avoid starting an argument or dialogue. If the person harassing responds to this intervention, turn your attention to helping the person who was harmed and don't engage the other person further.
Examples of things to say include:
That's inappropriate/racist/homophobic/disrespectful/harassment
That's not ok
Leave them alone
Stop right now
They've asked you to leave them alone and I am here to support them
Sources
https://righttobe.org/guides/bystander-intervention-training/
https://www.apa.org/pi/health-equity/bystander-intervention
https://sexualmisconduct.uic.edu/education-and-training/bystander-intervention/
https://www.bart.gov/guide/safety/gbv/intervention
https://ophd.sonoma.edu/training-education/bystander-intervention
Psychological Safety
Psychological Safety
Regardless of what kind of fieldwork you are completing, working on a team can introduce new risks to personal and emotional safety of each person involved. Facilitating psychological safety in science and research teams (Jones et al., 2024) outlines ways to determine dynamics on your team that promote or restrict psychological safety in your work and how to improve the group dynamic to increase safety and comfort.
Psychological safety: individual's perceptions about the consequences of taking interpersonal risks in a given setting; catalyst to team learning and creativity which are vital in scientific work
When we feel psychologically safe, we can speak up with ideas, questions, concerns, and mistakes AND we feel as though we won't suffer negative social or professional consequetces as a result (source).
Enabling Fieldwork for All (EFFA)
Enabling Fieldwork for All (EFFA)
Psychological safety is not disconnected from other types of safety. In fact, we need to consider psychological safety in the context of physical, social, and financial safety to get a clear understanding of worker safety on your project.
Enabling Fieldwork for All (EFFA) to support physical, social, financial, and psychological safety in the field (Walsh, 2026) is a review that explores fieldwork across disciplines and identifies the connections between types of social and psychological safety in the field and provides recommendations for addressing them in your work.
Sociological Safety
Sociological Safety
While psychological safety deals with our own perception of safety in our social group, sociological safety is a related idea dealing with the way that systems, structures, and cultures shape safety behaviors in your group.
According to Tom Geraghty for PsychSafety, sociological safety relates to
power structures and gradients or differentials that make you feel less comfortable to challenge people above you in the hierarchy
formal structures
reward and punishment systems
norms and values
national culture, religion, and belief
institutional and systemic inequities
"In this sense, we might say that the experience of psychological safety is psychological, but the practice of fostering it is largely sociological."
Solo Traveling
Solo Traveling
We never recommend conducting fieldwork without a partner or a team. However, if you do find yourself in that situation, it is vital that you use common sense, trust your gut, and follow the best practices for solo traveling and working.
Below are a number of recommendations from our experiences and solo travel experts on how to keep yourself safe in unique situations:
Enroll in the US Department of State's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). You can learn more about this program here.
If at all possible, stick to a pre-designed plan.
Share your itinerary with someone including times you expect to leave and return certain locations.
Schedule your travel if at all possible before you travel to your site.
When traveling or working alone, staying in public places is generally safer than leaving for private spaces with new acquaintances.
Sometimes, work must be conducted in someone's home, but when possible, meet in highly populated areas like a cafe. Try not to leave public spaces with strangers.
Choose to be proactive instead of reactive.
If you are lost, approach a group that looks trustworthy rather than wait for someone to notice you are lost and offer help.
Plan where you are headed prior to leaving your location and avoid looking at your map obviously if possible.
Use situational awareness and avoid looking lost or unwell in public.
Don't walk around while looking at your phone or with headphones in both ears. Constantly scan your surroundings to know who is nearby and how to leave your location if you feel unsafe.
Having Google Maps announce directions to your location into one headphone while keeping the other ear open can make you look confident, avoid making you a target, and still get you where you need to go.
If you have to look at your phone, step into a shop or restaurant.
If you are feeling uneasy or unsafe in public, engage other people in your safety.
You can tell a trustworthy server that you are traveling alone so they can help if someone approaches you.
You can always approach a group and ask for directions (even if you know where you are going) when you are unsure of how safe the area because they likely will redirect you to a safer area.
Don't get rushed into a decision. You should feel confident rejecting offers that require you to decide quickly. It is always a good idea to leave, return to a safe location, and consider your options.
Being polite can be a great de-escalation tactic and keep you safe. However, if you feel really unsafe, it can be beneficial to be rude. Don't allow politeness to lead you into dangerous situations.
Join groups when you can.
If you plan on staying in hostels, it can be a good idea to make a friend to explore your local area with.
When planning excursions outside of your work, try to book group tours.
When traveling, it can be a good idea to attempt to blend in.
Don't wear loud, expensive jewelry.
Dress similar to people living in the community.
Don't walk around with expensive camera equipment or electronics exposed.
Keep your money and documents close to your person.
Don't keep large wallets in your back pocket.
Instead, use cross-body bags that you can wear under your clothing against your chest.
Plan ahead. Avoid using ATMs on the street if possible. Carry small bills in different pockets so you don't have to take out your wallet to make purchases.
Know whether it is safe to use credit or debit cards in your location before using them. If you can use them, never rely on just one. Carry multiple options in case one is rejected, stolen, or lost.
Keep a printed copy of your identification (ID, passport) in different parts of your luggage in case you lose your physical copy. Keep a scanned version on your phone or computer.
When traveling at night, it can be safety to take a taxi or Uber rather than navigating public transit.
If you choose to take public transit, you can ask locals if the stop you choose is safe. Try to wait for transit in local shops or at least in a well lit area. Stand with your back against a wall and scan the area as you wait. Choose seats on the transit near the driver and on the aisle so you can easily leave. Hold your bags on your lap.
When on a train, sit backwards in the middle car if possible to limit your chance of injury in an accident. Change cars if you feel uncomfortable.
When you do take a rideshare rather than public transit, check the car's lisence plate and ask who they are waiting for. Do not enter a car if those two items do not match. Share your ride with a friend if possible. Sit in the back seat to keep distance between you and the driver with enough space to jump out of the car if necessary.
If you choose to take a taxi, there are a few ways to limit your risks. Ask staff at your lodging to hail a taxi for you. Negotiate the price and confirm your location prior to getting into the taxi. Carry the address of your lodging written down in the local language to ensure you can get home.
Always wear your seatbelt if available.
If at all possible, avoid hitchhiking.
When you choose to travel by car,
Always lock your doors and keep your windows up.
Try to avoid driving alone at night.
Never stop to help someone on the side of the road. If you feel compelled, call emergency services.
If you are crashed into, pull over in public, well-lit areas only.
Park in well-lit, busy areas. Avoid isolated spots with low visibility.
Use valet or attended garages if you are alone at night.
Check under and around your car for dangers before getting in.
Don't leave any valuables in the car.
Know all of the local emergency service numbers and nearby hospitals. In case of emergency, keep all of your documents and necessary items in one bag or location so you can grab your necessities in an emergency.
When you enter a location, locate your exits and have a plan for leaving in a hurry.
Practice online safety.
Don't geolocate any photos you post while on your trip.
Never post a photo of your boarding pass.
Consider using a VPN. Never trust public wifi networks to be secure.
Protect yourself from harassment and assault in bars.
Always watch your drinks. Limit your alcohol consumption to keep your situational awareness.
If you are worried about being hit on or gaining unwanted attention, you can wear a fake wedding band.
When people ask whether you are alone, LIE. Say that a friend or a partner is meeting you in a few minutes. Pretend to get a phone call from someone on their way.
Learn exit phrases in the local language that can get you out of uncomfortable situations.
Lodging can have many dangers.
If you don't want lodging staff to know you are alone, ask for two room cards.
Ask for rooms on the second floor if possible to limit risk of burglary without putting you too high to evacuate in an emergency.
When you enter a new room, look for hidden cameras, put tape over the peephole, and place a towel under the door. We want to limit opportunities for people to pick your lock or break in. You can also consider a door alarm or extra lock.
Never stay in a room if you notice something off from how you left it or if a door or window is open.
If you feel like someone is following you or watching you in your accommodations, get off on the wrong floor or walk away from your room.
Keep the do not disturb tag on your door. This will ensure hotel staff never tries to enter your room, and you know that anyone attempting to enter is not a trusted person.
When staying in group lodging (such as a hostel) without a secure locker, sleep with your backpack, purse, or expensive gear with you.
Use Airtags and connect all major electronics / bags to the Find My app in case of theft or accident.
Share your location with someone who knows your travel plans. This will help emergency services to be engaged in case you are incapacitated or lose access to your phone. You may want to consider using Life360 or a similar app if you want someone to keep a closer eye on you.
Prepare for a lack of cell service.
Practice using your phone's SOS features before you leave.
Consider carrying a satellite communication device with breadcrumb tracking. You can use the device to contact emergency services and your local or emergency contacts. Breadcrumb tracking can provide your emergency contact with hourly updates on your location.
Research options for a local e-sim to replace your cell service.
Download and check safety apps like FEMA or the American Red Cross Emergency Severe Weather App.
Research common scams in your location and work to avoid them.
Carry multiple options to keep your phone charged. This includes a wall charger and a power bank.
If you don't speak the local language, carry a list of necessary phrases about safety, medical emergencies, accommodations, and transport.
Plan your finances to give you wiggle room that allows you to pay extra for added safety. For example, you want to feel comfortable paying for a taxi if it feels unsafe to walk somewhere. You never want to be in a position where you can't affort to be safe.
Give yourself flexibility in travel. Plan for unexpected delays or issues.
Try to travel and arrive during the day.
If you are driving, try to plan long trips on weekdays so you can access a tire shop or mechanic in case of a car emergency.
Keep your hands free!
Lock your bags.
Before you travel, download maps on an app (Google Maps, Gaia) so you aren't stuck if you lose cell service. You can also use the Google Translate app and download languages to use offline.
Sources
https://solotravelerworld.com/solo-travel-safety/
https://under30experiences.com/blog/84-travel-safety-tips-solo-travelers
https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/news-and-updates/safety-tips-solo-travellers
Navigating Social Situations Involving Substances
Navigating Social Situations Involving Substances
Living in the Community
Living in the Community
Self Defense
Self Defense
In an ideal world, we can navigate all conflict without use of voilence. However, when you are working in the field, you may encounter someone who tries to assault you. It is beneficial to familiarize yourself with basic self defense maneuvers to protect yourself in these situations, especially if no one is nearby to assist you. Before using these techniques, try de-escalation, calling for help, and escaping.
Tips and Tricks
Tips and Tricks
Be aware of your surroundings and have an exit plan
Use situational awareness. Be wary of people keeping their hands concealed or wearing clothes that don't match the weather. Notice people who are glancing around suspiciously or moving with abrupt shifts in motion.
Maintain distance from your attacker when possible and do not let yourself be backed against a wall or into a corner
Take off restrictive items (tight jackets, high heels) to make it easier to move and escape
Only carry a weapon if you are trained to use it. Pepper spray can be very effective when you have practiced using it.
If you need to improvise a weapon, hold your keys in your fist, not in between your fingers, to avoid breaking your fingers.
Be loud. Say "no" or "back off" and yell for help. Continue to do so as you navigate the encounter. Speak calmly and firmly.
Basic Self-Defense Stances and Maneuvers
Basic Self-Defense Stances and Maneuvers
Stay in a strong, supportive stance to avoid being knocked over. Keep your posture up and shoulders back. Stand at a slight angle to limit your target profile.
Break free from an arm grab by swinging it down towards where their thumb and fingers meet, which is the weakest part of the hold. Yell or stomp while you do this to startle your attacker.
When someone grabs your clothing, grab a handful of clothing near where their grasp is with one hand and their wrist with the other. In one movement, pull your clothing back while pushing their wrist away.
If someone is grabing your neck, raise your arms above your head, use your shoulders to squish their hands, and twist away.
When you get trapped in an arm bar choke hold, tuck your chin into the crook of the attackers elbow and pull down on their forearm to keep your airway open. Then, pull their arm and crouch down. Back around the person as much as possible and push away on the arm against your neck as you tuck your head and turn out of the hold.
If grabbed from behind, shift your weight, stomp on their foot, and break free.
Strikes to Combat and Attacker
Strikes to Combat and Attacker
Palm heel strikes to the face or jaw
Eye strikes for creating distance
Knee strikes to vulnerable areas
Clapping both ears at the same time to injure their ear drums
Strikes to the groin
Hammerfist punch down
Online Tutorials
https://www.senseiando.com/self-defense-course/
https://selfdefensetutorials.com
https://kravmagalosangeles.com/krav-maga-basics-that-everyone-should-know-for-self-defense/
https://sudaitc.com/self-defense/the-complete-guide-to-self-defense-training-for-beginners/
https://gracie-torrance.com/a-beginners-guide-to-womens-self-defense/
Sources
https://rightasrain.uwmedicine.org/well/prevention/self-defense
https://www.kovars.com/blog-posts/top-7-beginner-self-defense-tips-to-boost-your-confidence
Safety Equipment
Safety Equipment
In addition to your field safety gear (first aid kit, satellite communicator, etc), you can consider carrying the following safety gear to make you safe in social situations.
A personal alarm (like Birdie) or whistle
Pepper spray
Doorstop, door alarm, or extra lock for lodging rooms
Fake wallet to throw during a robbery
AirTags for your luggage and important items. You can also carry one on your person if your phone doesn't have a tracking feature.
RFID-blocking passport holder
Luggage lock
Anti-theft bags and backpacks
Solar-powered charging bank
Portable safe
Cross-body money bag
Travel-sized carbon monoxide monitor
Headlamp or flashlight
Page updated
Report abuse