On December 20, 2024, a seminar was held, organized by the joint research group Harassment in Fieldwork (HiF)."Fieldwork and Sexual Violence/Sexual Harassment: Report on the Results of a Survey Questionnaire (First Report) and Future Prospects"Was held.
This seminar is:Support Program for Departmental and Organizational Initiatives to Promote Diversity and InclusionThis was implemented by "[company name]".
Below, we present the report.
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We believe this seminar provided an opportunity to raise awareness of sexual violence and sexual harassment in fieldwork. During the Q&A and discussion sessions, participants engaged in lively discussions, offering frank comments based on the survey results, useful information, and important points to consider when thinking about this topic.
For example, some students who were about to conduct fieldwork expressed concern and anxiety about their own vulnerabilities as researchers after hearing the survey results. However, at the same time, some commented that knowing these survey results in advance had allowed them to "prepare themselves mentally," and that they felt reassured by the existence of a collaborative research group that is working to support victims of sexual violence.
Furthermore, one participant shared information about efforts in Taiwan to create an environment where everyone, regardless of gender or sexuality, can participate in research activities equally. This made it a valuable opportunity for information exchange for participants interested in countermeasures and response methods.
Furthermore, the discussion revolved around the fact that among fieldworkers, there is still a custom of recounting incidents of trouble in the field as "heroic tales." It was pointed out that because such customs exist, a fertile ground has been fostered and preserved in academia for concealing "failure to avoid danger" or "suffering from sexual violence." If such "fieldwork norms" exist, it could be said that the academic world is not accepting the diverse fieldwork conducted by researchers with diverse cultural, social, and linguistic backgrounds.
This seminar brought together researchers at various stages, from veteran faculty and researchers to master's students still in the preparation stage of their research. I believe this seminar conveyed to the participants the importance of reviewing the aforementioned "fieldwork norms," not only how to approach their own fieldwork, but also of sharing their own failures in risk avoidance and experiences as a participant (or near misses) with their supervising students.
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DEIThe Promotion Headquarters provides financial support for the costs of training sessions and seminars on diversity promotion planned and hosted by various departments at Hokkaido University, as part of the "Support Program for Departmental Initiatives to Promote Diversity and Inclusion."
