Where Research Begins: Choosing a Research Project That Matters to You (and the World)

In this session, Professors Thomas Mullaney and Christopher Rea (Authors of the book Where Research Begins) will share practical tips about how to approach your literature review and how to uncover the ‘why’ of your research project and how to communicate the significance of your research. The professors will share practical tips for making key decisions about:

• which research projects to choose,
• how to make them your own, and
• how to communicate the significance of your research to potential employers

Taking the time to understand the stakes of your chosen research project—not just “what” your thesis or dissertation is about, but knowing your “why” for this topic will help with:

• your research and writing
• pivoting if you are hitting research roadblocks,
• writing more compelling grant and fellowship applications, and
• giving more magnetic presentations and job talks.

Knowing your “why” can also provide you with a sense of purpose and belonging to carry you through challenging times, help you meet your intellectual “fellow travelers” far faster, and shorten your time-to-completion. Simply put, there is an immense value to knowing who you are as a scholar, both pragmatically and personally.