In an article for Nature, scientist Sarah Boon argues that postsecondary institutions need to better prepare field researchers for the unexpected. Boon draws on her experiences traversing glaciers, encountering grizzly bears, and taking measurements from fast-flowing rivers to highlight the dangers of fieldwork in remote areas. While she acknowledges that actions such as mandating safety courses and drafting hazard plans are a good start, Boon contends that these measures are not always sufficient for handling emergencies. To reduce risks, she urges institutions to ensure that principal investigators receive training to become effective leaders in crisis situations, ultimately enabling researchers on the team to conduct their work more safely.
