Access versus impact in fieldwork

Aims and Objectives

Uncovering accessibility and environmental challenges during practical fieldwork in natural environments.

Experiences and learning in natural spaces have been linked to health benefits. However, since 2007 more people live in urban areas than rural. How much people feel a right and connection to nature has great social and political implications. Opportunities to have experiences in nature is not equal, for example, individuals with disabilities can face multifaceted barriers in accessing learning in natural environments. In recent years concerted efforts have been made to provide resources to raise awareness and share knowledge to tackle barriers and ableism in science, including improving accessibility and inclusion in fieldwork. A unique aspect when considering accessibility in natural environments is finding balance between ecological impacts and how natural environments may be used and adapted in order to be more accessible for people.

Our work aims to explore the current understanding and approaches to accessibility and inclusion across disciplines at the University of York using sociological research methods to identify barriers and knowledge gaps to accessibility in fieldwork. We will conduct a meta-analysis of the literature to gather evidence of the ecological implications of accessible fieldwork practices. Key findings and considerations will be published. The project will share insights and facilitate potential collaborations across departments and with local conservation organisations via a roundtable workshop to co-design an inclusive conservation field project and evaluation study to a managed conservation area.