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!