Field Research Planning

What is Field Research?

Any off-campus research activity undertaken by members of the university staff, students, postdoctoral fellows, volunteers and faculty to collect, generate or analyze all forms of data, including but not limited to environmental, biological, archival, ethnographical, anthropological, library or other research (e.g. laboratory research conducted by a member of the university community at a host institution, reconnaissance field trips to locate suitable field sites or visiting an industrial or construction site), as well as field trips and field schools carried out nationally or internationally.

If your activity is included in the above definition, you are conducting field activities.

If attending conferences, meetings or attending member institutions in countries where the Government of Canada travel warnings are “Take Normal Security Precautions” (Level 1-Low) or “Exercise a High Degree of Caution” (Levels 2-Medium, Level 3-Moderate), a Field Activity Safety Plan (FASP) is not required but you must review and follow this Traveller checklist.

Follow the steps below to prepare for the field season:

Field Research

  1. Determine Risk Level of your Field Research/Activity
    • Review the Off-Campus Activity and Travel Procedure. Using the Risk Matrix, Approval and Action Requirements, determine the risk level of your activities. Look at the Examples in this chart to get an idea how other field activities are categorized. If your activity is assessed at 1 (low) - note all categories must be low (who's travelling, location, activities and proximity to Emergency Medical Services), then a FASP is not required but you must review and follow this Traveller checklist. For all other categories (2-5), you must complete a FASP and must take the training.
  2. Take the mandatory Field Research Safety Training
  3. Complete your Field Activity Safety Plan
    • PI/Supervisor must complete a Field Activity Safety Plan (FASP) or for human-participant research, complete the H-FASP. If the PI/Supervisor wishes to delegate preparation of a draft to a senior graduate or postdoctoral fellow, oversight and approval still rests with the PI/Supervisor.
    • Complete the FASP Addendum for any research projects (1) for which there is the potential for specialized rescue and/or (2) that will be done in collaboration with another institution, agency, or company.
    • Save your FASP and FASP Addendum (if applicable) with the following naming convention: Last name of PI – Project/Program Title/Year (eg .FASP_DOE_WhitecourtMeteorStudy_2024, Addendum_Doe_WhitecourtMeteorStudy_2024)
  4. Submit FAP and Addendum for Approval
    • Review the Risk Matrix, Approval and Action Requirements , and follow the instructions for approval based on your risk level and who will be conducting the work.
    • Submit complete but unsigned FASP to the Field Activities Plan Central Registry .
    • If the project is Risk Level 1, 2 or 3: Expect to receive a response from an HSE Advisor or Faculty Health and Safety Advisor within 10 working days.
    • If the project is Risk Level 4 or 5: Expect to receive a response within 20 business days.
    • A Faculty or HSE Safety Representative will be in touch with the submitter and may advise of revisions.
    • After making recommended changes, the Faculty or HSE Safety Representative will reach out to the secondary approver for signature and advise the submitter once that it done.
  5. Request a Daily Field Safety Log Book
  6. Complete an Emergency Information Form for each participant
    • Ensure the forms are with the research team in the field.
    • Provide copies to your department contact.

Field Schools + Field Trips

For Field Schools and Field Trips, see the HSE Requirements for Field Schools and Field Trips.

Conducting field activities outside of Canada

Follow all the steps above and refer to additional information below:

International SOS

  • Register travel with International SOS (ISOS)
    • Download the International SOS (ISOS) Assistance App. It provides immediate updates on incidents or advisories, as well as a point of contact for security or health assistance in the event of an incident.
    • If travel was booked through Maritime Travel, ISOS registration is automatic. If travel is booked through another travel provider, register directly with ISOS following these steps using your @ualberta email address:
    • Note: If you are involved in student travel, not including travel associated with field research, and you have registered your travel in UGO, International Education and Enrolment will register your travel with ISOS.

Travel Management Program

Visa Requirements

Funds to Foreign Countries

Traveling or Shipping Field Equipment

Field Planning Resources
Public Advisory Resources
Travel Resources
Hiring Tips