Want to learn how to make your field research project a success from a seasoned field scientist?
At this talk, recorded at the annual RGS Explore Weekend in November 2022, Mark Mulligan, Professor of Physical & Environmental Geography at King's College London, draws on over three decades of experience leading and supervising expeditions from Nepal to Colombia and beyond, discussing the critical elements of designing an effective field research project that contributes meaningfully to new geographical knowledge.
What does the talk cover?
“If you don't have a good, focused research question, you're going to have a great deal of difficulty later,” Mark says. He outlines the types of research you can carry out, from mapping to monitoring and impact evaluations, giving the audience a picture of the day-to-day realities of being on an expedition. One key point he emphasises is: “Do less better, rather than more worse.”
Do less better, rather than more worse.
From how to build on previous research to avoiding your data perishing on a fragile USB stick, Mark identifies common challenges in exploratory field research and shares his in-depth knowledge with the audience.
Key moments
- 00:35 – Expeditions: journeys with a purpose
- 01:00 – How to effectively make a scientific contribution
- 03:43 – Good expedition research should include certain things
- 05:33 – The importance of not letting your data perish
- 06:25 – Identifying the types of expedition research
- 07:35 – The fundamentals of mapping
- 08:00 – Getting into monitoring without the cost
- 09:05 – Deciding where to go for your research
- 09:45 – Identifying your constraints
- 11:10 – Understanding the reality of an expedition timeline
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