#FieldworkFail: Twitter users share their research mishaps

We’ve all been there. You’re trying to take a selfie with a tapir, and the blasted thing only goes and eats your spectacles.

Try getting selfie with tapir. Tapir eats glasses. #fieldworkfail pic.twitter.com/GTX78TphFh

— christopher schmitt (@fuzzyatelin) August 11, 2015

This photo, captured by Christopher Schmitt, assistant professor of biological anthropology at Boston University, succinctly demonstrates how academics across the world are – day in, day out – risking everything in their relentless pursuit of knowledge.

It is also one of hundreds of tweets sent using the hashtag #FieldworkFail – a collection of honest scholars revealing those moments when their hands-on research didn’t go exactly to plan. A bit like #OverlyHonestMethods, which saw academics revealing some of their not-so-scientific approaches.

Professor Schmitt wasn’t the only one encountering problems with animals…

Accidentally glued myself to a crocodile while attaching a radio transmitter. #fieldworkfail

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— Agata Staniewicz (@AgataStaniewicz) July 30, 2015

Hyrax nibble engine wires. No headlights. No indicators. Horn beeps intermittently of its own accord. #fieldworkfail pic.twitter.com/cRZnUZaRSZ

— James Probert (@SerengetiFire) August 3, 2015

When your drugged zebra finds the ONE tree on the Namibian plains, which also has a neck-height fork #fieldworkfail pic.twitter.com/2iUx2uxGNB

— Carrie Cizauskas (@CarrieCizauskas) August 3, 2015

#fieldworkfail when you’re trying to get a young Yellow-Crowned Night Heron to cooperate for a picture… But pic.twitter.com/PMNgmDTgOz

— Trill deGrasse Tyson (@JasonWardNY) August 2, 2015

 …and transport was also a real issue.

Rental car companies probably should ask if you are a field biologist #fieldworkfail pic.twitter.com/dBtzdiCyQB

— Marcella J. Kelly (@marcellajkelly) July 31, 2015

#fieldworkfail Don’t enter a wadi without a proper car. pic.twitter.com/ChoWSlvf16

— Matthias Lang (@MatthiasLang2) August 7, 2015

My landrover on the way back from the garage #fieldworkfail pic.twitter.com/gRRLebTjwQ

— Sarah Durant (@SarahMDurant) August 5, 2015

In fact, some scholars seemed intent on getting themselves stranded…

Getting the @ZSLScience truck stuck in a river in the middle of Mongolia whilst searching for bats #fieldworkfail pic.twitter.com/QPp8Mb10a7”

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— BATTULGA Nergui (@tomoomn) August 12, 2015

Field assistant got stuck during pond survey. Took photo then helped :) #fieldworkfail #SendTheStudentInFirst pic.twitter.com/TtbDOC38Vd

— Chris Hassall (@katatrepsis) July 31, 2015

Swimming after run-away boat in croc-infested waters #fieldworkfail @stri_panama pic.twitter.com/7PJ1qoenkk

— Diana Sharpe (@sharpe_diana) August 5, 2015

…but even when they did arrive safely, not everyone had the right tools for the job.

Dropped phone to a deep hole in the ground. Spent rest of the day digging it up. #fieldworkfail #ETnophonehome pic.twitter.com/VJevh66eii

— KMO Archaeology (@KMOArchaeology) August 7, 2015

When you realize the #bat you’ve been radio-tracking is actually just beeps from the crosswalk #fieldworkfail pic.twitter.com/QHXEetWydL

— Cylita Guy (@CylitaGuy) August 7, 2015

Finally, spare a thought for the University of California, Davis’ Alan Krakauer. I certainly wouldn’t want to switch places with him…

Learning the hard way how windy it gets in Wyoming. #fieldworkfail pic.twitter.com/ROHcHvqbb6

— Alan Krakauer (@alan_krakauer) July 31, 2015

You can see more #FieldworkFail tweets on Twitter.

chris.parr@tesglobal.com