Each fall, second-year GWS PhD students participate in a Colloquium during which they present their proposed qualifying paper research. The Colloquium’s “workshop” format is designed to provide students with a collegial, intellectually rigorous space to present and receive feedback on their research from their GWS advisor and the broader GWS community. These components include preparing a pre-circulated research statement/memo and summary slides.
At any point, you can contact Professor Keisha Lindsay, Director of Graduate Studies, Duachi Yang, Graduate Program Manager, and/or your faculty advisor with questions about how to prepare for the Colloquium.
Key Dates
- Plan to meet with your thesis advisor by Thursday, September 26 to discuss your plans for your research memo and slides (described below).
- Submit your research memo to the PhD Colloquium Box folder by Friday, October 11.
- Be ready to share your research questions and process with the GWS community on Friday, October 18 from 2:30 to 4:30 pm.
Colloquium Plan
Your faculty advisor(s) will prepare feedback ahead of time based on the research memo that you submit on October 11. During the Colloquium, each of you will share a 7-minute presentation (4 slides) to graduate students and faculty. Afterwards, your faculty advisor will offer their feedback and then we will have a short discussion with questions and discussions from the rest of the group.
Step 1: Research Memo
Prepare a two-page, typed, single-spaced statement for the workshop. Your memo, which should be uploaded to the PhD Colloquium Box folder by October 11, will be distributed to your advisor, faculty and fellow students. Please include the following information in your memo:
- Title
- Introduction – Sets the context for proposed project. Captures readers’ interest by: a) describing the “problem” being explored; b) detailing why readers should care about said “problem” and c) reviewing what is already known about the research topic and why this knowledge needs to be expanded and/or revised.
- Thesis statement – Details, in one or two sentences, the core argument of your qualifying paper. Helps delineate boundaries of your thesis or what your thesis does not address.
- Method(s) – Outlines what research methods will be used, what material/data will be collected and analyzed, and what limitations and/or assumptions undergird the data collection process.
- Implications of research – Details what new knowledge qualifying paper will produce and/or summarizes findings of data/materials analysis already conducted.
- References – Lists fifteen, relevant academic references
- Work plan/timetable – Table that details deadlines established for completing each major stage of qualifying paper. Should note any work already completed.
Step 2: Summary Slides
In addition to the pre-circulated research memo (detailed above), we also ask that each of you create four slides, to be displayed during the workshop, that present the following:
- Slide 1 – Rationale/reason for exploring research topic
- Slide 2 – Research question(s) and thesis
- Slide 3 – Research method(s)
- Slide 4 – Help needed/desired feedback
Again, this workshop is meant to be a space for exploring questions you have about writing and developing your qualifying paper. Formal presentations of a “final” product are neither encouraged nor desired. We hope that this collaborative experience will help you better understand the research process and, in turn, make progress toward a successful qualifying paper and oral presentation. Please upload your summary slides to the PhD Colloquium Box folder by October 18 at 8 AM.