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Position Statement Draft

GSA members are invited to submit comments and suggestions RATIONALE
regarding the following new position statement by 15 February. Conduct in the Field. Fieldwork has traditionally been one of the
Go to www.geosociety.org/PositionStatements to learn more and least diverse and inclusive activities in geology. Yet inclusion, diver-
submit comments. sity, and equity are as important in fieldwork as any other area of
research. GSA requires field-trip leaders and field-trip participants
ETHICS OF RESPONSIBLE GEOLOGIC to be aware of the large differences that exist in individuals’ expo-
FIELDWORK sure to outdoor activities. Leaders and participants are to work
Position Summary. This position statement provides guidance actively to assure everyone in a field party is operating at the same
on the Geological Society of America’s (GSA) best geologic field- level of comfort, acceptance, awareness, and safety. Everyone in a
work practices. GSA urges its members to conduct fieldwork in an field party is equally part of the group. This will require pre-trip
ethical, respectful, and sustainable manner that (1) provides a safe, checking ahead of time as to attitudes and to make sure everyone
equitable, and inclusive environment for conducting responsible has appropriate field gear.
fieldwork; (2) respects the land rights and laws of local, state, and Fieldwork often occurs in remote settings with cultural norms
federal jurisdictions, tribal, Indigenous peoples, and local commu- different from host institutions. Field-trip leaders are to prepare
nities, and private landowners; (3) obtains the proper fieldwork themselves in advance by anticipating problems that might arise.
and collection permission and follows all agreed-upon work as Field-trip leaders should inform and set expectations for both the
specified; and (4) minimizes destruction of outcrop and distur- field party and local stakeholders before the field trip. Once in the
bance of the landscape. In active conflict zones, GSA opposes field, it is too late.
fieldwork and the collection of geological samples (e.g., rock, Field parties are to operate at all times under the same codes of
mineral, sediment, soil samples, etc.) and fossils of any type for conduct applicable to meetings and academic institutions, such as
any purpose, such as research, education, and public display those adopted by the American Geoscience Institute, American
(e.g., museums, publication, and sale). Geophysical Union, and GSA, despite operating independently
and/or in isolated areas. Furthermore, field-trip leaders need to
CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS familiarize themselves with local laws and jurisdictions that are
• Plan all fieldwork carefully to provide a safe, respectful, equitable, likely different from home jurisdictions and communicate them to
and inclusive field environment for all. Make clear upfront that the group before the field trip to ensure everyone is aware of them.
discrimination, harassment, and/or bullying will not be tolerated. Field parties are to have a mechanism for reporting behavioral
• Obtain all necessary permits and permissions to access and col- misconduct. The attitude that “what happens in the field, stays in
lect geological samples and fossils on public or private lands. the field” is unacceptable and is an invitation for abuse and harass-
Be aware of all laws related to the disturbance and restoration ment. All members of a field party are to be aware that any inci-
of cultural and historical areas or where there may be cultural dents will be reported. Research shows that setting rules and pro-
artifacts and human remains. viding outlets for reporting up front reduces the occurrence of
• Educate yourself on the historical and current geopolitical events behavioral misconduct (see reference).
in a region in which you plan to conduct research. The safety of the group and each individual is the number-one
• Include, where possible, researchers from local universities and priority during fieldwork. Sampling, movement to and in remote
institutions, local cultural knowledge-holders, and domain experts locations, and rapidly changing weather conditions can be chal-
in fieldwork. Give authorship and/or financial compensation to lenging—even dangerous. Field-trip leaders are to stress safety
collaborators regardless of affiliation or educational status. and to recognize that individuals have different levels of aware-
• Determine if specimens collected in a given area may have been ness of safety. First aid kits, First aid training, CPR training, and
collected illegally or during a period of conflict. cellular or satellite phone emergency communications are essen-
• Consider the following questions in advance of conducting tials whose procurement is the leader’s responsibility. The leader
fieldwork: is also to assure that multiple people in the field party have the
• Who is connected to and knowledgeable of the areas in skills and knowledge to use these items or perform these activi-
which you do fieldwork? (Consider that knowledge and ties. The names and emergency contact information for all indi-
expertise come in many forms.) How will you compensate viduals in the field party should be on hand and made available
collaborators and community members for their to the host institution prior to departure for the field.
contributions?
• What are the benefits of your research to the people and Illegal Collecting. Illegal collecting is the collection of any
places connected to your work? What are the potential harms? material without obtaining the proper permissions from relevant
• How might research activities physically impact the places authorities prior to site access. Permissions may be in the form of
in which you work? How will your research impact future collecting permits from government agencies or explicit permis-
access to the place or resources you use? sion by a private landowner (preferably in writing). It is often
• What safety risks might arise during fieldwork? illegal to remove resources from the country of origin. It is the
responsibility of the collector to know the legality of collecting
in the region in which they wish to work.

44 GSA TODAY | January 2022