The Queer & Trans Field Safety Assessment: a tool for protecting minoritized field scientists

Amelia Hope Reynolds, Evan Ho, Ronnie Steinitz, Mar C Arroyo, Mel Baldino, Kobie Boslough, Rachel Carlson, Sara Herrejon Chavez, Melanie Esparza, Julian E Fearon, Amiel Flores, Paige V Kouba, Nina A Sokolov, Allison Payne

Ecological fieldwork poses heightened risks for LGBTQIA+ scientists due to inadequate safety protocols and identity-based vulnerabilities. Best practices to improve safety for queer field researchers exist, yet over 50% of LGBTQIA+ field scientists report feeling unsupported, with structural and cultural barriers unaddressed. Our team of 15 researchers from the University of California developed the Queer and Trans Field Safety Assessment: an example-based tool designed to support inclusive field environments. Drawing from best practices in field safety literature, the assessment offers a structured checklist that addresses safety needs before, during, and after fieldwork across four key categories: climate, protocols, training, and accessibility. This paper outlines the assessment’s development and intended applications for field teams, field courses, field stations, and research labs. By offering a concrete tool, we hope to bridge the gap between recommendations and implementation in field safety and promote the inclusion and well-being of queer and trans field researchers.