It’s a bit of a stretch to think “field work” would be used as a double entendre to evoke the meaning of a slave working in a field.

But it doesn’t matter what I think because I’m not descended from a race of people who were enslaved and worked in the fields.

Those academics who might have a closer relationship with that identity are reasonably allowed to take umbrage. Even if I never meet someone who feels this way it’s fine with me.

The best part of it is the solution is simple and painless.

We had a similar situation when people started phasing out the phrase “master/slave” in computing.

There’s no reason why either one should make someone upset or combative. It’s offensive to someone who deserves to be offended if they wish.

That’s enough.