The Office of Fellowships sponsored a panel discussion on December 5 on how to get from the beginning to the end of the dissertation process. Featured speakers were Matthew Mugmon, music; Brian Goldstein, urban plannin; Kyle Thomas, psychology, Margaret Rennix, English; Jade D’Alphoim Guedes, archaeology. Here, we recap their thoughts and advice.
- “Don’t put your dissertation on a pedestal,“ said one speaker, reinforcing the general sentiment among the speakers that your best bet is to think of the dissertation as something closely related to what you have been doing all along as a student and a scholar, except for its somewhat greater length. Thinking that way will make it less intimidating.
- Above all, recognize that it is a work in progress, and will be for some time, meaning it will undergo many changes, often major reformulations, before it acquires the shape of a true topic.
- The factors leading to change are many. Advisors may ask for substantial revision, even have a change of heart about what they like or don’t like. They may disagree with one another, with some being highly demanding, while others just wanting to see it finished. The panelists themselves testified to having a change of heart once the actual research was underway; all emphasized that until writing has begun in earnest, the topic barely exists. And on the subject of writing, all cautioned that it is essential to back up one’s work regularly; too many tragic tales have unfolded where work seems to have been erased or otherwise lost from the computer. Along similar lines, all recommended “end notes“ or other systems that are labor-saving devices,
- The speakers were equally practical when it came to the frequently offered advice that you should try to choose a topic that you would love doing. That’s a fine thought, but they all agreed you must also choose a topic that others will want to read. While it may not be a good idea to choose a topic that seems to be fashionable at the moment (since these moments can be fleeting), they did see the value in writing about something that seems to be part of an important new scholarly trend and to think of your fellow writers as allies. One speaker found it beneficial to use the dissertation as a way of acquiring new skills, typically by moving in an interdisciplinary direction. Another practical tip was to choose a topic where the research could mesh well with your personal needs, avoiding extensive travel and distances if that would conflict with the personal.
- Finally, the speakers emphasized the value of peer interaction while writing the dissertation, assigning it perhaps as much importance as working closely with advisors. While all acknowledged the value of input from advisors, they also felt a need to make their own decisions and to be able to work independently as well.