Reducing the Risk of Sexual Misconduct during Field Research with Students

ABSTRACT Many research teams that work at remote field sites include undergraduate and graduate students. It is the responsibility of project directors to be informed about the frequency of sexual misconduct among research teams and to implement best practices and policies to reduce the risk of sexual misconduct. Students and other individuals from lower positions of power experience higher rates of sexual misconduct when participating in research at remote locations. Our research group hosted a two-day focus group with experienced researchers and administrators from academia, government agencies, and biological field stations to identify best practices and policies that reduce the risk of sexual misconduct for members of research teams working at remote locations. The participants identified 43 best practices and policies with 15 items rated as “essential,” 27 items rated as “very important,” and one item rated as “somewhat important.” The focus group participants identified codes of conduct as an essential tool for defining sexual misconduct, clearly stating behavioral expectations, establishing a review process for potential violations, and enforcing penalties for violators. The code of conduct must be shared with research team members prior to departure to the field site and be revisited multiple times throughout the research experience. All members of the research team must be able to trust that reports of sexual misconduct will be fairly evaluated by leadership and violations will result in consequences for the responsible individuals. Reducing the risk of sexual misconduct among remote research teams requires conscious effort and actions from administrators and research directors.