Oh, baby! Fieldwork with family...and a fake leg
I reflect on some lessons learned from my years in scientific field research.
Yesterday, I had the pleasure of visiting with some very special women who, nearly 20 years ago, made my dreams of graduate field research a reality. I was one of several Botany in Action fellows, supported by the Garden Club of Allegheny County (Pittsburgh, PA). Today, this special program is managed by Phipps Conservatory and Botanical Gardens.
I came back to the Garden Club to share updates on my research and thank them for their support all those years ago. Programs like this one fill a unique gap in the scientific research enterprise as the opportunities for funds to cover even the most basic costs of a plane ticket, local housing, and food during an expedition can be hard to come by.
During my lecture, I shared some of the highs and lows of scientific research, including insights into the realities of the challenges of doing fieldwork as both a mother and a person who is mobility impaired. The feedback I got from the group is that it is important to showcase the challenges and the paths I found to solutions. The resilience! Examples of resilience can inspire others. On my flight home last night I pondered how to share this story with you, dear readers. Then, I recalled an article I’d written on this subject, entitled “Fieldwork with Family…and a Fake Leg” for the newsletter of the American Society of Pharmacognosy back in 2018. Here’s an edited version of that original piece. I hope you enjoy it.
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