Queen's Outdoor Field Experience Initiative (QOFEI) Abstract: Fieldwork and outdoor research are important (and fun) components of Biological and Environmental sciences, but numerous barriers exist that may prevent student engagement. We believe that all students should have the opportunity to develop outdoor research skills and build their confidence and comfort in the outdoors. Originally established as a sub-committee of the Biology Department’s EDI committee, the Queen’s Outdoor Field Experience Initiative (QOFEI) is dedicated to mitigating these barriers and improving accessibility to outdoor-based learning. In 2021, QOFEI conducted a survey of the Queen’s community addressing barriers to field research and outdoor education. Some of the main barriers identified by the survey that prevented students from participating in outdoor research opportunities at Queen’s include financial, cultural, and knowledge barriers. This February, QOFEI will be opening its Lending Library to help address financial barriers and the hidden cost of field work. QOFEI seeks to share some of the research that motivated forming this initiative, the survey results, our current initiatives within the biology department, and answer questions about future goals.
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April 2024
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