When we hear the word, “trauma”, most of us will think of a monumental, life-changing event such as living through a war or a one-off attack. This is not always the case – trauma can be caused by the build-up of smaller adverse experiences over time.

This safe-space seminar is designed for awareness raising about the risks of trauma from fieldwork and is suitable for any who has done, or is planning to do, research fieldwork, irrespective of discipline, context, research methods or research topic.

Researchers may be particularly vulnerable to trauma in fieldwork depending on (among others):

1) The place in which fieldwork is being conducted (e.g. a fragile country where we feel vulnerable; a remote location where we are isolated)

2) The data collection methods (e.g. enthnographic methods in which we immerse ourselves in people’s lives; in-depth interviews where we hear traumatic stories)

3) The topic of enquiry (e.g. sexual violence or social injustice)

4) The people with whom we are interacting (e.g. vulnerable and/or marginalised people).

5) A researchers’ own trauma history (e.g. growing up as a minority under structural oppression; growing up in a dysfunctional family).

Structure of the seminar:

1) Introduction by Maureen Freed

Maureen is a trauma expert and leads the Vicarious Trauma workshop hosted by the Social Science Division. She will introduce the topic of trauma and how it can make it’s way into our lives without us always noticing.

2) Experience sharing by Catherine Fallon Grasham

Catherine will share her struggle of returning home after 10 months of research fieldwork in rural Ethiopia where she was exposed to the structural violence of absolute poverty on a daily basis.

3) Open floor experience sharing and questions

An opportunity for everyone in the room to share their anxieties about their fieldwork, or any experiences that they have had, in a safe and confidential space.

4) Wrap-up and key take-aways