Ploughshares
June 27, 2024

Question 1: How did you fall into this work?

I didn’t envisage this being my career path. For starters, I don’t view my position as proverbial “work,”with a regular “clocking in and clocking out,” but more as a way of living—what some might call a vocation. As long as I can remember, my contributions to groups, community, and family have always taken the shape of field building. This is also lineage work for me. I come from generations of community organizers on both sides of my family. Knitting and weaving communities–core tenets of field building– have always been part of my purpose. From my early days as a landscaper and deck builder, to my time in door-to-door sales, and over a decade working with civil society across missions and in service of different communities, my focus on the people that make the system, and their ability to create change, has been steadfast. So I fell into this work, and specifically this role, because it aligns with both my internal and external competencies and passion.

Question 2: Why is field building important for organizations and communities?

Field building is critical for organizing knowledge and fostering innovation within organizations and communities. Aligning contributions to the core results of the field and facilitating collaboration creates robust networks and communities. Field building improves practice, galvanizes policy influence, and raises public awareness. In our current world–and considering technology’s impact on communities and the interconnected challenges across fields as well as its general complexity–field building enables organizations and communities to withstand, flourish, and create a sense of belonging during uncertain times.

Question 3: What are some key practices or tactics employed in field building initiatives, and how do they contribute to achieving broader goals?

The practices and tactics in field building are only as impactful as their connection to a singular goal. Articulating a clear line of sight that everyone can rally behind is crucial. There are two pathways: technical and adaptive. Technical tactics address known issues with existing best practices, such as effective coalition building, data collection and validation, convenings, and capacity building. Adaptive solutions, on the other hand, tackle higher degrees of uncertainty and tension through listening, inclusion, access, emergent strategies, and systems thinking. Both paths are necessary for a healthy field, embodying both a fixer and builder mindset is key. 

Question 4: In your experience, what are some common challenges faced in field building efforts, and how do you navigate them?

One common challenge is the misconception of time. Building a healthy field requires patience and resources. Field building is more than networking and relationship building; it involves multiple levers and should be integrated throughout the organization, like HR, finance, and communication. Another challenge is bridging divides (or the lack thereof) as dialogue across differences is essential for a healthy field. Navigating these challenges involves showcasing successful examples, using data to reinforce the return on investments, and engaging diverse and wide ranging stakeholders in the building process. 

Question 5: What do you think the nuclear field can achieve as a stronger and more aligned community of practitioners?

As a stronger and more aligned community of practitioners, the nuclear field can significantly enhance its impact on disarmament efforts. Increased cohesion can improve coordination of advocacy and awareness initiatives, influence policy more effectively, and leverage collective expertise to innovate strategies for reducing nuclear threats. A united community can amplify its voice in promoting non-proliferation, securing more robust agreements, and mobilizing public and political support for disarmament goals. Additionally, a more aligned field can partner with other sectors in supporting our collective goal of a safer, nuclear-weapons-free world.

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