Women, Fieldwork, and the Making of Professional Selves

Fieldwork transforms researchers, but its personal impact is often left out of academic writing and policy reports. Women, Fieldwork, and the Making of Professional Selves brings together autoethnographic narratives from eight women social scientists, offering candid accounts of how fieldwork shapes professional identities, life choices, and careers. Covering research in South Asia, Central America, Africa, Europe, and the Middle East, the book examines topics ranging from urban housing to gender-based violence, revealing the ethical, cultural, and personal challenges faced in the field. Organised into three sections—Finding Our Fields, In the Field, and After the Field—the book provides practical insights into the long-term influence of fieldwork on careers in academia, international development, public policy, and activism. By centring the voices of women researchers, Women, Fieldwork, and the Making of Professional Selves challenges traditional research norms and highlights the relevance of fieldwork experiences across disciplines and professions. Each chapter combines personal reflection with professional analysis, making it a valuable resource for undergraduate and postgraduate students, instructors, and researchers seeking to understand the human dimensions of social science.