Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health
A Reflection On Space
A Reflection On Space
Daria Lisus is a Rose Service Learning Fellow and a Master of Science Candidate in Global Health and Population
Over the past several weeks, since returning from Peru, I have been reflecting on the meaning of space—when can we take up space? How do we give and take space? What does space mean, and how do contexts shape this understanding? I don’t think I have the answers to these questions, but as my team continues to work together—analyzing data, collaborating with our community partner (Socios En Salud), and deciding how to disseminate our findings—I realized how my understanding of space during our project has adapted and shaped my takeaways, work, and interactions.
In my first journal entry from my trip, I wrote, “I think I need to lean more into these unknowns and find space in their wonder and curiosity.” I still remember landing in Peru at 3:30 AM, filled with so much excitement, excitement that has carried through this work to this day. At that point in time, space had a meaning of vastness and uncertainty. I didn’t know how this project would unfold, what I would learn, how my biases and positionality would be reflected, and what exactly humility would look like. I was grateful to have such an incredible team to lean on, but also this incredible opportunity to try to fill up this space of unknown. This space required vulnerability and openness but also consistent critical reflection to ensure that as it began to fill up, the gaps it filled were representative of the community’s reflection, ideas, and lived experiences.
The definition of space then grew and adapted. As we began to work with Socios En Salud, the communities of Carabayllo and Huaycán, and ourselves, this concept of space was shaped into a reflection of positionality. How can I ensure that I am not taking up too much space during the focus groups? How does my space differ from the space these communities exist in? How can I help create a space where community members feel comfortable and safe? Space was no longer something that I wanted to fill up; in fact, I wanted to take up as little of it as possible. These focus groups were the community’s space, and I was just a small part of that, getting to listen to them, playing with the children when they got tired of sitting, and helping support Socios En Salud and my team with any tasks needed.
This was a key aspect of my time in Peru—unlearning how to take up space, especially when knowing how to do it is so greatly praised in the academic and corporate world of North America. This concept of space isn’t just physical and verbal; it is also emotional and mental.
Since coming back, this concept of space has continued to change and has taken on more of a physical meaning. How do you continue to work on a project when you are no longer in the same physical space? How is it that I can so quickly adapt to being back in my space in Boston? How do I prevent myself from forgetting the details of the space in Carabayllo and Huaycán? It feels strange to continue working without being in the physical space where the project took place. I find myself looking back at photos often, trying not to forget details, ensuring that my observations and takeaways are rooted in the community, and making sure that my biases from my space in Boston do not influence the work I am doing with my team.
My main takeaway has been that there can be no reflection on positionality without reflection on space, in all of its contexts and meanings. I am excited to keep working on this initiative and to see how this ‘space’ changes, especially how it makes me more critical of my orientation as a researcher and human being.
*I want to acknowledge the incredible SES team, specifically Romina and Daniela, who have been integral to this project; Dr. Sonya Shin, whose mentorship and guidance have been invaluable; and Natalia Throup and Britt Suann, without whom I would not have undertaken this work and who have been such a joy to collaborate with and call my friends.
