The first of two Virtual Fieldwork Retreats of the Research Training Group GRK 2833 “East Asian Futures” took place on September 16, 2024 via Zoom and was hosted by the speaker Prof. Dr. Christine MOLL-MURATA and co-speaker Prof. Dr. Markus TAUBE.

Most of the doctoral and postdoctoral researchers are now in the field, where they arrived in early September. Four researchers joined the meeting from China, three from Taiwan and two from Korea and Japan respectively. During their fieldwork, the doctoral researchers are frequently in touch with their supervisors and are also strongly communicating with one another. Additionally, they benefit from the support of one postdoctoral researcher in their geographic area at the beginning of their time abroad.

While some of the researchers have already met each other at their destinations or made plans to do so, the Virtual Fieldwork Retreats are an opportunity for the whole Research Training Group to meet, including supervisors, Qualifying Fellows and the RTG administration. Thus, the retreats are enabling further exchange, networking and sharing of resources, which is particularly useful to those researchers, that conduct their fieldwork in more than one location.

During this first Virtual Fieldwork Retreat, the researchers shared their experience in getting settled in the new environment and their updated plans for conducting research abroad. While some group members have already overcome obstacles such as extreme weather conditions and bureaucratic issues since their arrival, overall, everyone has settled in well and is on track with their fieldwork plans.

The second Virtual Fieldwork Retreat is due to take place in early 2025, six months into the fieldwork trips of the doctoral researchers. Invitations and further details will be sent out soon.