Goodbye for now

When I left academia, it was a decision about who I wanted to be in life as I painfully realized that staying would come at the cost of my personal and scientific integrity. Without knowing what the future would hold, I transitioned into social change work, hoping to use the negative experiences I had gone through to help others.

In the years that followed, the question of what truly creates positive change (best-selling cookie-cutter frameworks surely don’t, and neither does the latest tech) guided my work. My professional offerings reflected that and evolved alongside me as I continued learning and deepening my understanding of our world, and how we might collectively make it a better place.

Although this work grew out of hardship, knowing that my contributions since leaving academia actually had the impact I hoped for is one of the greatest gifts of my life, and I appreciate everyone who took the time to let me know. Somewhat ironically, this also includes those who used my work for their own benefit without crediting or compensating me, because it shows that they, too, found it valuable.

Still, success to me has always meant being happy with who I am and what I am doing. Given how the world, and the systems we’re entangled in, have developed since I started this work, the latter is no longer the case. Without going into lengthy detail, I’ve come to realize that the world is heading in a direction I’m not willing to follow. Continuing this chapter of my life would feel like holding on to a part of my professional identity that is already gone, and that I, as a person, have outgrown.

Thank you to everyone I’ve met, collaborated with, and learned from over the years. You broadened my perspective and enriched my understanding of the many cultures, disciplines, and worlds that exist in ways I could never have imagined before. Most importantly, though, you showed me that there are far more wonderful people out there than I could possibly mention by name. Thank you for making me believe in our shared humanity, and that real change is possible.

With gratitude,
Lisa ツ

PS: I will likely retire this website in the foreseeable future. Until then, I’ll leave it online, as I know people still access the open resources I shared.