Interdisciplinary Rapid Field Appraisals

Abstract

Rapid assessment is a tool to understand and address complex sustainability problems as well as a learning device for education of future professionals who need opportunity to develop their skills. Professionalism involves a four-part skill setcritical thinking, observation, management, and technical concerns-which can be taught in rapid assessment field trips. Our course teaches this four-part skill set through pre-field trip activities (lectures, readings, discussion, exercises, and presentations), the field trip (about 14-days in country) to Central or South America (and elsewhere), and in post-field trip analysis and report preparation. The basic interdisciplinary educational approach is introduced, a list of basic questions to be researched and worksheets are provided, and an outline for writing reports is offered. Readings give explanation of the interdisciplinary approach and illustrate its use worldwide. Reports based on the field trip are published and circulated widely. At the invitation of The Nature Conservancy in Quito, the 2001 course assessed the Condor Bioreserve in Ecuador. Both students and instructors evaluated the interdisciplinary rapid assessment field trip as highly successful. Our problem solving and educational approach has been used in our classroom and in the field, as well as by other people in diverse contexts, to improve both substantive and process outcomes in sustainable natural resources policy and management.