PLANNING AND PRACTICALITIES Margi Bryant, University of Sheffield Stephen Jones, Royal Holloway

1. PLANNING AND PRACTICALITIESMargi Bryant, University of SheffieldStephen Jones, Royal Holloway

2. Before you go • Planning and contacts • Paperwork, visas, permits • Health, vaccinations, medical kit • Risk and insurance • Equipment • Language

3. Planning and contacts • Have a detailed plan of what you aim to do and how. • Have a back-up plan (alternative research questions, • different methods etc.) • Think widely about contacts, ask supervisor (and others) • for advice and suggestions. • Make contacts in advance, firm them up before you go. • Carry contact details with you on paper!

4. Paperwork, visas and permits Sort this out well ahead of your planned departure – some procedures can take a long time! • Check your passport is valid for the required period. • Check destination country’s visa requirements. • Check research permit requirements. • Obtain letters of invitation / introduction. • Carry paper copies / photocopies of all important documents.

5. Health, vaccinations, medical kit • Check legal requirements of your • fieldwork country. • Other recommended vaccinations • and preventative measures (e.g malaria). • Personalise your medical kit, think about • what’s available locally http://www.fco.gov.uk/ Follow links to “travel and living abroad/staying-safe/health”

6. Risk and insurance • Draw up a risk assessment • with your supervisor or • department’s Safety Officer • Take out appropriate insurance • – check it covers illness, • accidents and emergency • evacuation

7. Equipment • What do you think you need? • For example: • - Means of recording data (written/audio/ • photographic) • - Tools for participative research • (e.g. felt pens, large sheets of paper) • - Small gifts for local collaborators • - Clothing appropriate for climate and culture • What’s practical? (e.g. will you have • electricity supply, internet access?) • What can you get when you’re there?

8. Language • How will you communicate? • Do you need language training? If so, before you go or when • you’re there? • Will you need to employ a local translator? (NB budget • implications!)

9. When you’re there • Finding places to stay and work • Getting to know your way around • Planning your time • Staying in touch

10. Places to stayand work • Provided by local organisation • or community you’re working with. • Recommended or fixed up by local • contacts. • Finding it by yourself (ask around • for advice - including “acceptable” • parts of town, etc). • Agree terms in advance!

11. Getting to know your way around • Familiarise yourself with your study • area, e.g. footpaths, public transport, • shops, etc. (local contacts will help). • Check out venues where you’ll be • having meetings and interviews (how • long it takes to get there, etc). • Check out nearest internet cafes, local • mobile phone networks, etc. (think • about buying local simcard or phone).

12. Planning your time • Plan what you’re going to do each day – but be prepared to seize opportunities and go with the flow. • Expect delays, changes of plan and time spent hanging about. • Keep a diary for plans, events, meetings, reflections and progress review (even if you’re not doing ethnography). • Build in some relaxation time and days off.

13. Staying in touch • Make sure key people (including friends and family) have your contact details, including local mobile phone number. • Keep in email contact with supervisor if possible. • Email field notes, interview transcripts etc. back to yourself. • Line up a friend or family member to let off steam to! • Be careful not to abuse non-commercial email facilities (uploading photos etc).

14. Leaving • Departure • Saying goodbye and thanks • Final thoughts

15. Departure • Plan your departure date and stick to it (unless there’s a very good reason to change) • Let people know, especially if you’ll need help getting to roadhead/station etc. • Make any necessary travel bookings in advance if possible.

16. Saying goodbye & thank-you • Think ahead about how you’ll wrap up and leave. • Be sure to say goodbye to people you’ve worked with • or who’ve provided you with information. • Maybe hold a social gathering • before you leave. • Get people’s contact details – • but don’t foster unrealistic • expectations. • Sending photographs (prints) • can work as a “thank-you”.

17. Finally … • Don’t expect everything • to go according to plan. • Don’t be hard on yourself if • you feel worn out or fed up! • Allow yourself to relax • and have fun!