EBA Minamata Virtual Fieldwork 2022

The EBA Fieldwork Program is an immersive experience where participants apply the Evidence-Based Approach to real-world issues. The EBA Minamata Virtual Fieldwork 2022 is hosted online and focuses on the revitalization of Minamata City, Japan, and examines the lessons of Minamata Disease, environmental pollution, eco-rehabilitation, and sustainable urban development. Over the course of the program, learners engage with the environmental, social, and historical dimensions of Minamata.

Participants actively apply the EBA method in practice through asynchronous data exploration, research question development, discussion, storytelling, and presentation. Using an interactive online map system and a wide range of digital materials, including drone and sensor images, 360-degree photos and videos, Matterport environments, official documents, documentaries, and other media, they investigate the city from multiple perspectives. Through this virtual fieldwork, participants gather relevant evidence, interpret local issues, and propose possible solutions for the revitalization of Minamata City based on their own disciplinary backgrounds and perspectives.

By completing this program, learners strengthen their ability to conduct inquiry in digital environments, connect diverse sources of evidence, and communicate through evidence-based storytelling. The experience deepens their understanding of environmental sustainability, public health, and virtual field-based research, preparing them to contribute meaningfully to resilient and sustainable future societies.

Study Requirement: 40 hours, including synchronous and asynchronous online activities

Topics Covered in This Course

The Revitalization of Minamata City: Examining Minamata as a case of recovery and transformation, and exploring how evidence-based approaches can contribute to the sustainable revitalization of a city shaped by environmental crisis.
Minamata Disease and Environmental Pollution: Investigating the history and long-term impacts of mercury poisoning in Minamata, and reflecting on its environmental, social, and public health implications.
Digital Exploration of Place and Evidence: Using interactive online maps and digital materials such as drone and sensor images, 360-degree photos and videos, Matterport environments, official documents, documentaries, and other media to explore Minamata virtually.
Program Activities: Participants engage in an introduction session, asynchronous data exploration, research question submission and review, a data storytelling session, and a final presentation.
Field Observations and Reflection: Participants examine digital evidence, discuss findings, reflect on the city’s current situation, and connect online exploration with broader questions of sustainability and revitalization.

Learning Outcomes

This course offers learners the ability to:

Apply the Evidence-Based Approach (EBA) to a real-world issue through a virtual fieldwork format.
Understand the issues and challenges related to Minamata Disease.
Understand the current situation of Minamata City by gathering data online, exploring the city environment virtually, and investigating official publications, reports, and content produced by researchers and local authorities.
Collect, organize, and interpret information from multiple digital sources and media formats.
Develop research questions and analyze evidence through structured inquiry.
Communicate findings through data storytelling and presentation.
Propose possible solutions for Minamata City covering the Sustainable Development Goals defined by the United Nations.

Related Courses

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Prerequisite

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Criteria

This badge was awarded to the learners who completed the following criteria:

Participate in the introduction and online learning sessions.
Complete asynchronous data exploration using the virtual fieldwork materials.
Submit and refine research questions based on evidence collected during the program.
Contribute to the data storytelling session and collaborative discussions.
Present the outcomes of their investigation during the final presentation.