Our fieldwork philosophy

We believe that fieldwork is integral to geography* and environmental sciences*, as subjects which fundamentally aim to understand the world we live in.

Four students study their notes during fieldwork in New Zealand

Experiential learning underpins and reinforces understanding of theory and concepts gained from lectures and reading.

Fieldwork stimulates academic curiosity, hones observation and measurement skills, exposes our students to key challenges and issues of global societal importance, and allows students to make connections between social, physical and environmental processes at different scales.

Our fieldwork locations reflect our belief that fascinating geography exists on our doorstep.

Local destinations**

The School of Geography and Planning is located in an amazing natural laboratory on the doorstep of the engaging Peak District National Park.

Students can easily explore the physical landscape of the Peak District, the challenges associated with living, working and farming in the country's oldest National Park. Sheffield has a rich cultural and social heritage with environmental processes and issues arising from the interconnected human and natural environment.

We typically run residential and day trips in locations such as the Edale Valley and the areas around Castleton for our Level 1 students.

National & International destinations**

Our field classes give you practical experience and training in diverse and unique environments. At Level 2 our students participate in a core fieldclass to a national or international destination of typically five to seven days. Previously our Geography BSc students have travelled to Spain, our Geography BA Students head to Berlin and our Environmental Science students head to Oban in Scotland.

At Level 3 we have a range of optional and core field trips depending on degree programme. Our Environmental Scientists have visited the National Coal Mining Museum in Wakefield to assess the feasibility of using a former mining site for housing within a core module. Our Human Geographers have investigated urban geographies in Liverpool as part of an optional residential field class whilst our Physical Geographers have the option of a residential field class to the Lake District to investigate environmental, glacial and volcanic processes.

We take an ethical and sustainable approach to planning destinations and consider the impact on local communities and the environment.

Accessible and supportive fieldwork

We plan and conduct our fieldwork to be as inclusive and accessible as possible, always considering the wellbeing, mental and physical health of students and staff, and all those who we encounter on fieldwork.

Costs

We are committed to making our undergraduate field classes financially inclusive - Costs for all field classes (including optional modules) at Levels 1, ,2 and 3 are met by the school. This includes the costs of travel, accommodation and food during your residential stay.

Students are expected to purchase their own personal equipment (eg appropriate clothing and footwear) for field class attendance, and to fund aspects of the Level 3 dissertation project if their project involves fieldwork (eg travel, food and accommodation).

Field class destinations may vary each year to reflect our latest research, student feedback and global developments. We will contact students in advance of any changes to our field classes. Cancellation policies may apply and could require students reimburse the school for field trips.

What to expect during your degree

At Level 1 you will learn and apply essential field skills such as qualitative techniques, environmental sampling and laboratory analyses in Sheffield and the surrounding Peak District.

This typically includes a residential field class to the Peak District in the first semester that also helps you to get to know staff and your fellow students.

At Level 2 you will be introduced to more advanced techniques and have the opportunity to develop and apply your research skills.

Key areas of learning include observational skills and fieldwork planning, and specific methods of measurements and of qualitative/quantitative data collection.

This is coupled with analysis and interpretation of results. A strong emphasis is placed on group work.

On the residential field class at this level, you will undertake a small group project in the field and present your findings. The experience gained will give you insights into different approaches and challenges of field-based inquiry, and resonate with what you learn about research design as another part of the module.

It will also give you a first taste of independent field working in a small group setting. This experience forms a vital foundation of any fieldwork you tackle in Level 3, in your independent research project (dissertation).

Geography residential field classes at Level 2 are typically six/seven days in a European destination; Environmental Science residential field class is typically UK based for six days.

At Level 3, you will put all the skills you have practiced in your degree into practice, including those developed in the field. Your dissertation may involve monitoring the environment, collecting survey information, or other field activities. This integrated approach allows you to hone your analytical skills and apply them in a real world setting. Staff will support you in delivering any field-based work through regular supervision meetings.

For the optional field class modules, you will learn advanced critical skills, taking all you have learned in the classroom into the world. The overall ethos at Level 3 is to provide you with practical and employable analytical skills.

Geography optional field classes at Level 3 have typically taken place in the UK (The Lake District for Physical Geography, a major UK city for Human Geography). Environmental Science typically undertake a day field trip to study mining pollution, as part of a core module.

*Information on this page relates to our undergraduate BSc/BA Geography and BSc Environmental Science courses. Specific information on field classes for the BA Geography & Planning, MPlan Urban Planning and BA Global Sustainable Development can be found on the course homepages.

**The content of our courses, including field class destinations, is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Note that the destinations of core and optional field classes, whether national or international vary by programme.

School of Geography and Planning