Master Fieldwork Like Top Scholars

A few weeks ago I had the pleasure of attending the Gorwaa Symposium. Organized by Andrew Harvey, this Symposium took place last year as well, where I was an active participant. This year, I was an attendee and I was grateful for the opportunity. Andrew Harvey is a notable figure in the field, and I've mentioned him more than once on my YouTube channel.

Note: Gorwaa is a Cushitic language spoken in Tanzania.

Attending the Gorwaa Symposium got me thinking about how Academia should be and which linguists or scholars you should definitely imitate and get inspiration from.

Inspiring Scholars

I have two great examples of scholars you should learn from: Andrew Harvey and Yvonne Treis.

Andrew’s and Yvonne's talks always stand out. As soon as they start presenting, I take notes on what to add to my own presentations. For instance, Andrew includes QR codes that link directly to databases or other information he mentions, making it accessible to everyone. Besides, he uploads his talks on his YouTube channel, ensuring that anyone can revisit and get deeper into the topics discussed.

Firsthand and Long-Lasting Experience

Both Andrew and Yvonne have been working on the same language(s) for years, building relationships with the local community. This gives them a deep understanding of both the language and its speakers.

Giving Back to the Community

- Building Bridges: These scholars create a bridge between continents, supporting local communities through their research and fieldwork.

- Financial Support: They hire assistants, language consultants, and provide fair wages for the locals’ contributions, treating them as equals regardless of their position.

The Role of Technology in Research

- Teaching Technology: They teach the locals the same software and technology used in Western countries, allowing them to collect and analyze data independently.

- Online Collaboration: Regular travel to the local community is supplemented with online collaboration throughout the year.

Embracing Online Fieldwork

Being open-minded to research conducted online is crucial. Collaboration with locals in Africa is possible thanks to the Internet and this approach should not be ostracised in fieldwork.

Depending on the country, different platforms are preferred for online fieldwork:

- Ethiopia: Telegram

- Tanzania and Kenya: WhatsApp

During the Gorwaa field methods course, we found that WhatsApp calls were the most effective way to communicate with language consultants, but the availability of platforms may vary depending on the country and the type of fieldwork.

Final Thoughts

The Gorwaa Symposium reminded me of the various tools and ways we can improve research, fieldwork, and Academia. The dedication and fairness these top scholars demonstrate are truly inspiring. This is how Academia should be, and how fieldwork should be conducted.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments below. If you haven’t checked out Andrew’s channel yet, please do so. I’ll link it below. You can also keep an eye on the CNRS LLACAN website for updates on Yvonne Treis. Do you know any other scholars who inspire you and innovate while respecting tradition and culture during their fieldwork?

Don’t forget to check out my shop!

Rahel