Last week the trainings and discussions we had cut across the disciplines. How does the interdisciplinary nature of this program, the fact that students are focusing on such a diverse range of projects, help you think about your project and/or your academic interests more broadly?
I was drawn to the Laidlaw program because of its interdisciplinary nature. Every field—every study—dies without others, alike and different, to nurture it. In other words, by bringing together a cohort of students uniquely passionate about different topics and motivated by different ends, we create a scholarly conversation and community that sustains each of our individual focuses.
In the past week, my own project has taken a drastic turn as I’ve become more acquainted with existing literature and pushed myself to challenge my notions of conventional research. While a literature review is still something I’m interested in working on, I no longer see it as the nucleus of my project. That nucleus—now ambiguously teetering between a full-blown photography project and a Story Map—has taken on a more personal route, one that has immersed me more deeply in my research.
In terms of my academic interests, conversations with my fellow Laidlaw scholars have truly inspired me to explore the intersections of our work. In our small graduate student session, we’ve begun having productive discussions about how our research complements one another’s and how different methodologies can be applied across projects. These conversations have pushed me to rethink the previously rigid boundaries of my academic interests and encouraged me to explore other fields while leveraging the skills I know I’m strongest in.
As you begin your individual research projects this week, do you anticipate any challenges in getting started? If so, what are they?
I’m concerned about the scope of the literature I plan to engage with. With only four weeks remaining, I want to remain mindful of time and set a hard deadline for myself to stop reviewing literature and begin drafting the first pieces of my research paper. I have started my photography project, which should hopefully be completed by the 3rd week of the program!
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I completely agree with your point that engaging with our fellows allows us to rethink and contextualise our research in a broader sense. The evolution of your project sounds very exciting - I look forward to seeing your photography project once it's complete!
Getting started on reading existing literature for my research has also drastically changed my research angle! I'm so glad that you are pushing yourself to explore your topic even more deeply and personally. I am excited to see your photography project.
The thing I love most about research and art is that we are constantly iterating and reiterating—I think our group session with our grad student mentor really exemplified this!! I saw how Elaheh's project inspired a new view on your project. The synergy I felt in that room of us bouncing ideas off of each other and asking the difficult questions without a preconceived answer is exactly the kind of dynamic that I believe drives research to become even more creative and resonant with the times. Can't wait to see what your project culminates in!!
I really like how you are keeping an open mind about using the skills you have while continuing to build new skills. I feel that it can often be difficult to strike this balance between what you know and what you what to know, and having a realistic plan of getting there is really important. I also like how you mention how the nucleus of your project has taken a more personal note, as I feel that this allows us to feel a stronger vindication about our research and stay motivated .