INTERDISCIPLINARY, CROSS-CULTURAL PERSPECTIVE ON DEALING WITH AMBIGUITY, UNCERTAINTY, AND LIMINALITY DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC BY CREATING “IBASHO”

The COVID-19 pandemic created a pervasive sense of unease and uncertainty as lockdowns and remote work disrupted daily life. Despite progress in developing vaccines and treatments, many people still find themselves in a state of liminality – caught between pre-pandemic routines and the “new normal” situation. The work of geoscientists has been hampered by inability to access field areas (especially across political borders), laboratories, offices, and classrooms. As in other disciplines, working irregular hours from home is common and may not be conducive to completing professional responsibilities. Surveys by the American Geosciences Institute indicate greater negative impacts of childcare and household management on productivity for women geoscientists relative to men, especially in academia. This phenomenon is worldwide, particularly in science fields. In an era of globalization, it is meaningful to take an interdisciplinary, cross-cultural approach to addressing worldwide matters. In our case, we consider these issues through a Japanese-U.S. collaboration at the intersection of geosciences and applied linguistics.

What common language can we find to alleviate the current negative sense of liminality? How can we handle these encroachments on professional time and space and the ambiguity and uncertainty that now dominate daily life? The Japanese concept of ibasho (“a sense of belonging” or “a place where one wants to stay”) is relevant to remaining strong and resilient in uncertain times. We may find ibasho in a particular place, time of day, organization, support group, or a confidant. Creating – or discovering – an ibasho, whether it be a physical or emotional place, or even a person, helps overcome ambiguity and uncertainty by allowing liminality to be embraced. Times of transition can be times of opportunity, if we are willing to evaluate our current situation and are open to new ideas, approaches, and pathways. Living in a liminal space requires effort, patience, and courage, but can yield great benefits: realignment of priorities, rebalancing life, and changing career directions, whether in teaching, research, or other responsibilities.