Testimonials
The impact of menstruation on fieldwork and the lack of adequate support has been a significant challenge for many. Below are anonymised quotes from individuals sharing their experiences, highlighting the importance of our initiative.
I can’t freely talk to all my colleagues as some are quite ‘traditional’ and find it difficult to understand why I am poorly one week and seemingly fine the next. It has damaged my reputation and made me seem ‘flaky,’ which is understandable.
There are things that work well for some people and not for others, depending on various reasons and conditions. The most important things are to make a plan for safety, privacy, and an effective way to pack out trash. Ideally, this is the PI's/field team leader's job, but most field team leaders don't menstruate and think the solution is as simple as 'they'll bring what supplies they need'.
I have always had to take spare supplies for female undergrads. They don’t want to come to 'typical' trip leaders, so the burden of training and passing relevant information falls onto younger female academics. Without one on your fieldwork, you are seriously disadvantaged.
I was extremely disappointed when I was faced with having to figure out what to do on a field trip with limited options. The most definitive answer I received was to take medication to not menstruate or to avoid these activities during my menstruation cycle. I was appalled that a physician would suggest preventing my body’s natural course to access outdoor spaces.
What do people think about our workshops
In response to these challenges, our workshops aim to address menstrual health and provide practical solutions. The sessions have received positive feedback, highlighting their effectiveness and impact.
During a recent event in November 2024, over 80% of our participants who provided formal feedback said they would recommend the event to a colleague. All gave the event 5/5 stars.
The event provided helpful and eye-opening discussions, showcasing advancements in field kits and emphasising the need for effective communication around periods and period conditions.
The training at SUERC was enlightening and should be standard for all staff leading and working on field trips. The adaptations suggested will make fieldwork more comfortable and accessible not only to those assigned female at birth but those living with a range of chronic conditions, whose needs may have been overlooked in the past.
The talk was an eye-opener for all who heard it. Crucially, as well as providing constructive advice to the female students, it raised awareness with the male students and encourages them to be supportive and understanding. We also have benefited from her giving a version of the talk to several other staff across the school who lead trips, and all have commented to me they wish they’d known sooner, and please can we roll this out to all students and staff across the School of Geosciences!
As a lecturer, I will be implementing my learnings across our field course components.
This should be made obligatory for staff teaching in the field.