Statement of Research Interests

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This page was written because no one ever explained how to write this statement so I had to go and figure it out myself. I googled for tips and read some books. Here is a compilation of tips and notes for myself as I'm writing this confounding document.

What appears to be the purpose of the letter?

The main goal of a research statement is to walk the search committee through the evolution of your research, to highlight your research accomplishments, and to show where your research will be taking you next.

  • writing exercise to show that you can take on independent research
  • demonstrate your writing ability,
  • demonstrate independence as a researcher
  • ability to earn grant money
  • state your short-term and long-term research goals
  • prove you meet their standards for tenure
  • bring fame and glory to the department

Who is the reader?

  • someone who isn't a specialist in your field
  • the person will read too many papers in one day

Gathered Tips

  • Should be one to two pages
  • be personal, use I instead of We, talk about your cutting edge approach, unique insight, tech know-how, success in previous projects, etc
  • do not over-tailor to the job - the research statement does not typically refer to the job but is more personal
  • do not refer to other documents that they will have to flip to
  • don't be over-grandiose
  • don't be too negative - focus on what you did, not what others didn't, its about you not others
  • make sure the core argument of your research is articulated
  • try to articulate a publishing trajectory from past to present
  • propose a second major project that is distinct and original compared to the first
  • be careful not to focus just on you as researcher and focus more on the research itself (ego check, and I statement check) other words to be careful are: "i am interested" (dont over use or it can sound too self-involved)
  • GOOD STATEMENTS PROVIDE EVIDENCE, NOT JUST FLUFF AND EMOTING

Possible Format (By Paragraph)

  1. overarching theme and topic (situate it in some disciplines)
  2. summary of your dissertation research with more detail of the method, theoretical foundation and core arguments
  3. brief description of contribution of the dissertation research to your fields (demonstrate your past knowledge and experience by raising intriguing questions and how you plan to explore them in the future)
  4. ongoing research? summary of next research project. topic methods, theoretical orientation, statement of possible contribution to your field.
  5. summarise the wider impact of your research agenda.

References

See also

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