Addressing social field safety as a proponent of the natural sciences workplace

An existing gap in the natural sciences is the lack of attention to and action surrounding social and psychological safety, particularly concerning marginalized individuals and those who are at risk or have been historically excluded from fieldwork in the natural sciences. In this paper, we seek to (1) frame the field environment as a professional workplace that should be safe and regulated; (2) define social and psychological risks; (3) highlight the role of social and psychological safety in breaking down barriers to participation for at-risk individuals in the natural sciences; (4) discuss the benefits of implementing safety protocols on personal, supervisory, and institutional levels within the natural sciences; and (5) provide recommendations for professionals working in the field and those who employ and supervise fieldworkers. Addressing this gap can lead to greater recruitment, participation, and retention of all natural science students and professionals.