YOSHIDA Yutaka

Positions, degrees

Research Associate; JSPS Research Fellowship

Research Keywords

Kenya; interaction; deaf people

Email

ytk[at]aa.tufs.ac.jp

As a developing researcher forever

Nine years ago, I joined the ILCAA as a Research Associate. Although my term was extended, I was unable to secure a permanent position and had to rely on unemployment benefits. I was then hired as a research assistant in a different field at another institution while continuing my research on a small scale throughout that period.

When the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS) Restart Postdoctoral (RPD) Research Fellowship program was expanded to include ‘parents of primary school children’, I thought, ‘This is my chance.’ I applied and, luckily, was accepted. I have now been taken on again by the ILCAA as a ‘Research Associate’ (Employed RPD). Saying ‘again’ is perhaps a bit of a misnomer. I had previously been a non-employed research fellow here for a long time.

Over the past few years, while circumstances have prevented me from being on the research front lines, I have led a community-rooted life centered on my child’s school. My journey began when I became an executive member of the PTA. Through this connection, I joined the PTA table tennis club (which was on the verge of disbanding), and my child joined the local baseball team, which instantly broadened my horizons. (However, that PTA subsequently disbanded.)

Looking back, I have seen quite a lot of both the light and dark sides of society for half a century. I hope to draw on my many personal experiences in my research and other activities.