What new ideas, challenges, or other issues have you encountered with regard to your project? How have these ideas or challenges shaped the bigger picture of your research? Has the scope or focus of your topic changed since you began this project? If so, how?
My biggest challenge thus far has been isolating my research goals. My initial question was very large in scope, and as I read more materials on destruction myths and related subjects, I found that I wanted to address more specific points. I came to the conclusion that I needed to change my research question with the help of my GSM, Alice Clapie, who brought me back to the basics of why I was interested in mythology and the apocalypse in the first place. Initially, I intended to look at four destruction myths in order to create a cultural comparison and understand what it says about the importance of literature, generally. Now, my focus is on defining destruction as a genre of mythology, understanding its purpose, and establishing its modern day relevance. Although both questions largely cover the same topics, my new question focuses on the why and how questions of my research, rather than simply addressing what it is.
Where does your research take place--or where is a favorite place to conduct your research? Post a photo!
I do most of my research in the stacks of Butler Library, but when it’s nice out, I’ll go read in the park, or sit in NoCo, for the lighting.
Hi! I’m Kamtoya Okeke (she/her). I’m a sophomore at Columbia University planning to study Cognitive Science and Creative Writing. My research is focused on destruction myths, stories which depict the end of the world, and I explore how these myths reflect societal values and fears, as well as how they showcase the power of storytelling.
Feel free to reach out if you're interested in literature research and/or narrative forms, or just want to chat!
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I really resonated with your discussion about isolating research goals. When I wrote my literature review about gold nanoparticles in cancer therapies, I originally had the topic of contemporary treatments for cancer therapies, in which I realized that there were far too many papers to feasibly write my literature review within a year to two year period. I'm also happy to see that you focused more on the "why" behind your research; I feel like a lot of us forget this question especially when we get sucked into our research (especially in STEM).
Also, if you are ever in NoCo, please come visit on the 13th floor; the view is awesome!