Communicating Research – A collaborative Journey in Thesis development
As you approach the culmination of your master’s studies, the task of crafting a thesis can seem both exhilarating and daunting. This “Communicating Research” colloquium aims to provide a supportive environment where we can collectively navigate the intricacies of developing and articulating your thesis topics.
Our course takes a somewhat unconventional approach. Rather than relying on traditional lectures, we’ve designed a space where peer learning and mutual support take center stage. Here, your insights, critiques, and evolving ideas will form the core of our shared learning experience.
What you might expect from our time together:
- Prospectus Development: We’ll dedicate time to exploring and refining your research interests, working towards a thoughtful thesis proposal that reflects your academic passions and goals but is also reader-centered and focused on enriching or refining knowledge discourses.
- Peer Review: Through eliciting, giving and receiving feedback, we’ll practice the art of constructive criticism – a skill invaluable not just in academia, but in many aspects of professional life.
- Collaborative Sessions: You’ll have the opportunity to work closely with your peers, sharing the challenges and breakthroughs that come with developing a significant research project.
- Conversations with Experienced Researchers: We hope to facilitate discussions with graduates and potential supervisors, offering perspectives that might inform your approach to research and writing.
- Exploring Supervision Options: We’ll aim to create opportunities for you to connect with potential thesis supervisors, helping you find mentorship that aligns with your research interests.
Our goal is modest but meaningful: to foster an environment where you can develop not just a thesis proposal, but also skills in academic discourse, critical thinking, and research collaboration. We hope that by the semester’s end, you’ll feel more prepared and confident as you move forward with your thesis work.
We invite you to join us in this collective exploration of research and academic writing. While we can’t promise to solve all the challenges of thesis writing, we’re committed to facing them together, learning from each other along the way.
Please note: The course is conducted online; see the details on the ISME website.
1 – Tue Oct 22 – introduction
2 – Tue Oct 29 – independent writing time
3 – Tue Nov 5 – independent writing time
4. – Tue Nov 12 – independent writing time
TASK #1: You have 3 1/2 weeks time to write a prospectus for a potential thesis topic, including
Research question and objectives
Audience
Brief literature review
Proposed methodology
Potential implications of the research
3 feedback questions
2 pages maximum
We will use these texts as a basis for working through aspects of thesis design in the coming weeks.
Deadline: Thu Nov 14, 2 PM. Submit as a pdf, including a cover page by e-mail from the zedat or @fu-berlin.de e-mail address to both of the instructors email address, use the subject “commresearch”.
5 – Tue Nov 19 – assigning prospectus buddies, the coming 5 to 6 sessions will be hosted by two students, each guiding through the peer review of the relevant prospectus for 45 minutes (10 minutes presentation of the prospectus, 30 minutes discussion, 5 minutes buffer).
6 – Tue Nov 26 – peer review #1
Deadline for the revised prospectuses of this session: Dec 11, 12 PM.
7 – Tue Dec 3 – peer review #2
Deadline for the revised prospectuses of this session: Dec 18, 12 PM.
8 – Tue Dec 10 – peer review #3
Deadline for the revised prospectuses of this session: Jan 8, 12 PM.
9 – Tue Dec 17 – pre-holiday session, special topic
10 – Tue Jan 7 – post-holiday session, special topic
11 – Tue Jan 14 – peer review #4
Deadline for the revised prospectuses of this session: Jan 29, 12 PM.
12 – Tue Jan 21 – peer review #5
Deadline for the revised prospectuses of this session: Feb 5, 12 PM.
13 – Tue Jan 28 – bonus peer review #6
Deadline for the revised prospectuses of this session: Feb 12, 12 PM.
15 – Tue Feb 4 – supervisor speeddating #1
16 – Tue Feb 11 – supervisor speeddating #2
17 – Tue Feb 25 – wrap-up, evaluation
learning outcomes
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
- Develop a well-structured prospectus for a potential thesis topic, including research questions, objectives, and methodology.
- Identify and articulate the relevance of their research to both academic and broader audiences.
- Recognize and articulate the potential implications of their research for their field of study and beyond.
- Employ effective presentation skills to communicate their research ideas clearly and concisely to peers.
- Provide constructive and thoughtful feedback on peers’ research proposals, demonstrating critical thinking and analytical skills.
- Incorporate peer feedback to refine and improve their own research proposals.
- Demonstrate the ability to lead and facilitate academic discussions around research topics.
- Reflect on their own research process and identify areas for growth and improvement.
- Articulate the connections between their research interests and potential supervisors’ expertise.
- Engage in collaborative learning, sharing insights and challenges with peers to collectively enhance understanding of the research process.
- Articulate how their research contributes to or refines existing knowledge discourses in their field.