planning and practicalities margi bryant, university of sheffield stephen jones, royal holloway

PLANNING AND PRACTICALITIESMargi Bryant, University of Sheffield

Stephen Jones, Royal Holloway

Before you go

• Planning and contacts• Paperwork, visas, permits• Health, vaccinations, medical kit• Risk and insurance• Equipment• Language

Planning and contacts

• Have a detailed plan of what you aim to do and how.

• Have a back-up plan (alternative research questions, different methods etc.)

• Think widely about contacts, ask supervisor (and others) for advice and suggestions.

• Make contacts in advance, firm them up before you go.

• Carry contact details with you on paper!

Sort this out well ahead of your planned departure – some procedures can take a long time!

• Check your passport is valid for the required period.

• Check destination country’s visa requirements.

• Check research permit requirements.

• Obtain letters of invitation / introduction.

• Carry paper copies / photocopies of all important documents.

Paperwork, visas and permits

Health, vaccinations, medical kit

http://www.fco.gov.uk/Follow links to “travel and living abroad/staying-safe/health”

• Check legal requirements of your fieldwork country.

• Other recommended vaccinations and preventative measures (e.g malaria).

• Personalise your medical kit, think about what’s available locally

Risk and insurance

• Draw up a risk assessment with your supervisor or department’s Safety Officer

• Take out appropriate insurance – check it covers illness, accidents and emergency evacuation

Equipment

• What do you think you need?

For example: - Means of recording data (written/audio/ photographic) - Tools for participative research (e.g. felt pens, large sheets of paper) - Small gifts for local collaborators - Clothing appropriate for climate and culture

• What’s practical? (e.g. will you have electricity supply, internet access?)

• What can you get when you’re there?

Language

• How will you communicate?

• Do you need language training? If so, before you go or when you’re there?

• Will you need to employ a local translator? (NB budget implications!)

When you’re there

• Finding places to stay and work

• Getting to know your way around

• Planning your time

• Staying in touch

Places to stayand work

• Provided by local organisation or community you’re working with.

• Recommended or fixed up by local contacts.

• Finding it by yourself (ask around for advice - including “acceptable” parts of town, etc).

• Agree terms in advance!

Getting to know your way around

• Familiarise yourself with your study area, e.g. footpaths, public transport, shops, etc. (local contacts will help).

• Check out venues where you’ll be having meetings and interviews (how long it takes to get there, etc).

• Check out nearest internet cafes, local mobile phone networks, etc. (think about buying local simcard or phone).

Planning your time

• Plan what you’re going to do each day – but be prepared to seize opportunities and go with the flow.

• Expect delays, changes of plan and time spent hanging about.

• Keep a diary for plans, events, meetings, reflections and progress review (even if you’re not doing ethnography).

• Build in some relaxation time

and days off.

Staying in touch

• Make sure key people (including friends and family) have your contact details, including local mobile phone number.

• Keep in email contact with supervisor if possible.• Email field notes, interview transcripts etc. back to yourself.• Line up a friend or family member to let off steam to!• Be careful not to abuse non-commercial email facilities

(uploading photos etc).

Leaving

• Departure

• Saying goodbye and thanks

• Final thoughts

Departure

• Plan your departure date and stick to it (unless there’s a very good reason to change)

• Let people know, especially if you’ll need help getting to roadhead/station etc.

• Make any necessary travel bookings in advance if possible.

Saying goodbye & thank-you

• Think ahead about how you’ll wrap up and leave.

• Be sure to say goodbye to people you’ve worked with or who’ve provided you with information.

• Maybe hold a social gathering before you leave.

• Get people’s contact details – but don’t foster unrealistic expectations.

• Sending photographs (prints) can work as a “thank-you”.

Finally …

• Don’t expect everything to go according to plan.

• Don’t be hard on yourself if you feel worn out or fed up!

• Allow yourself to relax and have fun!