Fieldwork Whilst Neurodiverse by The ENDEMIC Network

What are your favourite things about fieldwork?

BES_ENDEMIC — 2025-08-26 19:38:16 UTC

Share your fun fieldwork favourites

What challenges have you faced in the field?

BES_ENDEMIC — 2025-08-26 19:40:05 UTC

And did you manage to overcome them?

What advice would you give yourself in retrospect?

BES_ENDEMIC — 2025-08-26 19:43:14 UTC

A message to your younger self

Do you just wanna tell us a wild fieldwork story you have?

BES_ENDEMIC — 2025-08-26 19:44:40 UTC

We'd like to listen

What advice do you have for allies?

BES_ENDEMIC — 2025-08-26 19:45:23 UTC

Help them to help us

How do you keep yourself and your data organised in the field?

BES_ENDEMIC — 2025-08-26 19:47:10 UTC

Excel in the ecosystem

We're a diverse community, and we also face a diverse range of challenges. Would you share yours?

BES_ENDEMIC — 2025-08-26 19:52:25 UTC

Travels and tribulations, less personal space, running out of spoons - let us know below

Packing problems?

BES_ENDEMIC — 2025-08-26 19:55:52 UTC

Parting is such sweet sorrow. How do you decide what to bring with you to the field site, and what do you bring with you when you come back?

I work as an ecologist in the UK so my time in the field is tops 1 full working day... Hollie mentioned being fully present while doing fieldwork and I love this, but have to go back to emails and reports and data analysis and I find it hard to jump between these different roles and keep on top of all these different aspects of the job at once. I am constantly scared of dropping the ball somewhere while spinning so many plates. Do you have any advice for this?

2025-08-27 15:41:33 UTC

How do you cope with being away from loved ones (e.g. partner) for weeks/months at a time? My partner keeps me sane and I don't know how I would cope as an autistic person without their support if there's no internet for calls.

2025-08-27 15:45:04 UTC

I am autistic and I've never been on longer fieldwork because it scares me even though I love travelling when I have some form of control over my eating, sleeping situations etc. But I am a light sleeper with food intolerances and IBS and have no idea how this can be managed without huge sensory overwhelm and running into spoon deficit. I feel like I have to just not go. What do people with these sorts of struggles do?

2025-08-27 15:46:33 UTC

Have you been able to access extra accommodations/adjustments?

2025-08-27 15:57:21 UTC

One of the things I'm concerned about is having a flare-up or getting overstimulated/overwhelmed while out during fieldwork. Considering limited resources in conservation, I don't know if there's space for me to have extra time to recover, have a break or process things. The feelings of being a burden also come up

Do you have any advice for how to deal with neurotypical peers/supervisors etc being judgemental about extra neurodiverse needs? If people say things like "just deal with it" or treat you like you are asking for something really unnecessary/unacceptable? (this has happened)

2025-08-27 16:08:06 UTC

Is anyone else with ADHD struggling with working early in the day and maybe have positive experiences with adjusting work schedules for that (of course, within the limitations that fieldwork already entails)?

2025-08-27 16:28:31 UTC

Do you ever find the close quarters socializing and interpersonal communication within fieldwork challenging? I've found working long hours with small groups during fieldwork can be a quite unique dynamic and working situation.

2025-08-27 16:29:43 UTC

How to talk and deal with local field guides/park rangers?

2025-08-27 16:35:30 UTC

All of my fieldworks are in national or state parks, so I must communicate my stay and what I'll be doing.

But I really struggle with asking them for help or favors. I feel like I'm bothering them, and the fieldwork is mine, so I must do everything.

Do you tend to disclose your neurodiversity/disability straight away or wait until later? Or do you not disclose it at all?

2025-08-27 16:35:41 UTC

I want to be open and confident, but I'm still worried about rejection or discrimination. I think I tend to try to fit in or stay in the background until I feel more comfortable with people and then I might disclose my conditions.