Fieldwork in Complex and Hostile Places
Benefits for students
- Ensure safety of themselves and their research subjects.
- Enhanced graduate employability on the basis that the training received meets the highest international standard for fieldwork preparation.
- Develop skills relevant for post-university careers in international relations, international development, international NGOs and government agencies.
- Improved research productivity through more effective and efficient fieldwork with capacity to collect primary data in the most challenging research environments.
Fieldwork can be demanding and poses unique research challenges as well as risks to the security and safety of the researcher and research participants. Fieldwork also relies on the researcher's ability to clearly understand their research design and methods in order to effectively and ethically access, collect and manage data in the field.
This subject is an eight-day intensive course (25 credit points) consisting of four days of classroom-based lectures and four days in a scenario/simulation learning environment. It covers applied research philosophy, methodologies, field skills and techniques to prepare students for undertaking detailed fieldwork research with vulnerable research participants and/or for extended periods in less secure, complex and/or hostile environments.
Please note that this unit can be extremely confronting to some participants and is physically and emotionally demanding. If you have any concerns about your participation in the class please contact subject coordinator Dr Scott Flower scott.flower@unimelb.edu.au to discuss.
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Learning outcomes
Upon successful completion of this subject students will:
- Have an advanced understanding of complex and hostile environments and be able to manage risks whilst undertaking effective research
- Have the capability to efficiently and effectively draft a Research Plan, Ethics Application and Risk Management Plan (with supporting documentation)
- Understand the University's Risk Management, OHS, Security and Travel Guidelines
- Understand the range of ethical issues confronting researchers, participants and universities when undertaking fieldwork research
- Be able to select specific research methods and analytical tools that are appropriate (intellectually, psychologically and practically) for addressing their research question and collected data in a complex and hostile place among vulnerable research populations
- Be confident completing practical scenarios that demonstrate their awareness of the key personal security challenges confronting researchers in the field and how to respond appropriately to mitigate or manage such risks
- Have the ability to make plans and decisions regarding fieldwork (prior to, during and post-deployment) as part of an overarching research strategy
- Be awarded a 'Stay Safe' personal security qualification from the International Red Cross.
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Suitable for
This subject is designed to be of particular relevance to masters coursework, masters research and PhD thesis students from all disciplines who are planning fieldwork in less secure environments. Students can be currently enrolled at The University of Melbourne or other universities.
University of Melbourne students enrolled in Master of Development Studies (097AB), Master of Environment (MC-ENV) Development specialisation, and Master of Journalism (MC-JOURN) can choose to do this subject as part of their course. Students enrolled in other courses may need to obtain written coordinator approval to enrol in the subject.
Subject Structure (8 day intensive)
| Semester 2 (August) | 5 August - 12 August 2019 |
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A detailed description of the subject content and reading list is provided in the Student Handbook.
- Days 1-3 from Monday to Wednesday involve morning (9.00am-12.30pm) and afternoon (1.30pm-4.30pm) lectures.
- Days 4 -7 involves intensive practical, scenario-based role play training in simulated hostile environments at an offsite location (Thursday to Sunday).
- Day 8 Monday includes morning (9.00am-12.30pm) and afternoon (1.30pm-4.30pm) lectures that link theory and practice and summarise the main issues and practical lessons learned.
The practical training element is designed to simulate fieldwork conditions thus it is intensive in nature both in time and pushing people to work in more stressful situations than they may be used to.
| Day | Timings | Location |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 - Monday | 9:00am-12.30pm / 1.30pm-4.30pm | Parkville Campus (Please refer to the Timetable for the exact location). |
| Day 2 - Tuesday | 9:00am-12.30pm / 1.30pm-4.30pm | Parkville Campus (Please refer to the Timetable for the exact location). |
| Day 3 - Wednesday | 9:00am-12.30pm / 1.30pm-4.30pm | Parkville Campus (Please refer to the Timetable for the exact location). |
| Day 4 - Thursday | 4:00am | Off campus. Field deployment and first day practical training. |
| Day 5 - Friday | 6:00am – 9:00pm | Off campus. |
| Day 6 - Saturday | 6:00am – 9:00pm | Off campus. |
| Day 7 - Sunday | 6:00am – 4:30pm | Off campus. Returning to Melbourne at 4:30 pm. |
| Day 8 - Monday | 9:00am-12.30pm / 1.30pm-4.30pm | Parkville Campus (Please refer to the Timetable for the exact location). |
Entry requirements
This is a quota restricted subject with enrolment capacity limited to 30 students.
This subject is offered as an elective for Master of Development Studies (097AB), Master of Environment (MC-ENV) Development specialisation, and Master of Journalism (MC-JOURN). Students enrolled in other courses will need to obtain written coordinator approval to enrol in the subject.
PhD students should apply through the Community Access Program (CAP).
DEVT90042 is also available for currently enrolled students of other universities and members of the public who are planning fieldwork in less secure environments. Please apply for single subject study through the Community Access Program (CAP).
Application and selection
Places in the subject will be allocated in order of satisfactory submissions a Researcher Self-assessment form, with preference given to students who have impending travel overseas that need specific training to operate in complex or less secure environments.
This subject will be taught intensively; with 4 days of lectures held at the Parkville campus and 4 days of practical training off campus. Students who cannot attend the intensive week may be asked to withdraw and their place in the subject will be allocated to the next student on the waiting list.
Fees
Detailed information about 2018 subject fees is available on the University of Melbourne website.
2019 Community Access Program (CAP) fees for this subject (25 credit points) are:
- The 2019 fee for assessed mode is A$6,416.
- The 2019 fee for non-assessed mode is A$4,816.
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Complete the Research Profile Self-Assessment Form
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Enrol in the subject
Master's students will need to enrol in the subject via the Student Portal. If the subject is not in your Study Plan, you will need to submit an online Enrolment Variation Form.
PhD students and external applicants will need to enrol in the subject as the Community Access Program (CAP) via the University's Online Application System.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Enrolling in a quota subject through your study plan DOES NOT guarantee a place. Email notifications will be sent to advise you on the outcome of your application.
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Confirmation of enrolment
You will receive confirmation of enrolment via email. It is expected that the notification will be sent out within 10 business days of your submission of RSA Form.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Please ensure that you are in contact with the staff and respond to any requests to confirm your place in the subject.
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Unsuccessful applicants will be removed from the subject and advised via email
Course contacts
Subjects or other curriculum-related matters:
Dr Scott Flower
E: scott.flower@unimelb.edu.au
Administrative matters:
Dina Uzhegova
E: dina.uzhegova@unimelb.edu.au
T: +61 3 8344 3087