Moving from liminality to reconstitution: The impact of the global pandemic on the value and contribution of home economics/sustainability

Introduction: The global pandemic has impacted everyone around the globe. This disruptive force has created the opportunity to rethink, unlearn and reconstitute our values and practices, including our understanding of the importance of home economics in the sustainability agenda. This liminal space of transition, where there are not yet any certainties, is an unexpected space that opens up possibilities, but only if it is actively pursued. Objectives: This study set out to utilize the opportunity the liminal space provides, with a view to an evidence informed reconstitution informing the profession. Methods: A multi-methods study was conducted that comprised of: 1). a systematic, quantitative literature review; and 2). a textual analysis of selected policy documents and publications shaping the home economics and sustainability agendas. Findings: Findings reveal that a sharpened focus on several components has the potential to heighten the value of home economics as we collectively move from the liminality of transition, to the reconstituted ‘new normal’. Details of these findings, along with data visualizations, will feature in the analysis. Implications: This is an unprecedented opportunity in the history of our profession.