There and back again: The biosocial dynamics of returning from the field

Sarma, Mallika S.; Gildner, Theresa E.; Howells, Michaela E.; Lew-Levy, Sheina; Trumble, Benjamin C.; Fuentes, Agustín

Abstract

Background
Leaving “home” to pursue fieldwork is a necessity but also a rite of passage for many biological anthropology/human biology scholars. Field-based scientists prepare for the potential changes to activity patterns, sleep schedules, social interactions, and more that come with going to the field. However, returning from extended fieldwork and the reverse-culture shock, discomforts, and mental shifts that are part of the return process can be jarring, sometimes traumatic experiences. A failure to acknowledge and address such experiences can compromise the health and wellbeing of those returning.

Aims
We argue for an engaged awareness of the difficult nature of returning from the field and offer suggestions for individuals and programs to better train and prepare PhD students pursuing fieldwork.

Materials & Methods
Here, we offer personal stories of "coming back" and give professional insights on how to best ready students and scholars for returning from fieldwork.

Discussion/Conclusion
By bringing forward and normalizing the difficulty of the fieldwork-return process, we hope that this reflection acts as a tool for future scholars to prepare to come home as successfully and consciously as possible.

Citation

Sarma, M. S., Gildner, T. E., Howells, M. E., Lew-Levy, S., Trumble, B. C., & Fuentes, A. (2022). There and back again: The biosocial dynamics of returning from the field. American Journal of Human Biology, 34(S1), Article e23673. https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.23673

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 12, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Sep 1, 2021
• Publication Date: Feb 23, 2022
• Deposit Date: Sep 11, 2023
• Journal: American Journal of Human Biology
• Print ISSN: 1042-0533
• Electronic ISSN: 1520-6300
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 34
• Issue: S1
• Article Number: e23673
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/ajhb.23673
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1734053