Co-writing enhances your thinking and keeps you on schedule in dissertation research
I didn’t set out to get a doctoral degree. As I was finishing my master’s in history, I was heading for a job in the cultural field when I was asked to teach a course on information and communication technology in the Faculty of Humanities. Even though I had enjoyed working on my bachelor’s and master’s theses as a student, it was not until experiencing the university as a professional working environment I got interested in work as a researcher.
When I was asked to teach the course, I thought it would only be a short-term gig as a part-time teacher. I soon realised, however, that I was working full-time on teaching digital and working life skills.
I had enjoyed working on my bachelor and master’s theses, but I only got interested in work as a researcher once I experienced the university as a professional working environment. Postgraduate studies were a new intellectual challenge, but also by a chance to contribute to something bigger than myself; they were a way to promote science and contribute to a body of research knowledge.
Open atmosphere in researcher seminar was important to a beginning doctoral researcher
I knew that the Research Centre for Contemporary Culture had done a lot of theory-based research on media reception and audiences. On the other hand, game research was emerging as an important focus area of its own within the centre’s activities. My own interest concentrated on media audiences’ and fans’ activity in digital environments, and contemporary culture felt like an appropriate forum for this kind of research.
Moreover, the spirit of the centre and its overall atmosphere had impressed me already as a student, with even basic degree students welcomed to the researchers’ reading circles and seminars.
As I was working on my dissertation largely alongside with my job, the open atmosphere of the contemporary culture research seminar made it a significant place dedicated to the deep consideration of texts, discussion and exchange of ideas. There it was also possible to see draft texts of more experienced researchers, and the mysticism of research work got replaced with understanding of the process of scientific undertakings.
Co-writing is thinking together
Collaboration and co-writing were extremely important for my own dissertation path. I think by writing. Therefore, in my opinion co-writing is also thinking together. Owing to this, I believe I learned much more than by toiling on my own. Indeed, the good practices of co-writing have been important in this – instead of just joining separate pieces of text, we really thoroughly edit and discuss the text together.
Fortunately, I got a chance to work and write with a number of researchers who were more skilled than me. At the beginning of my dissertation work, it was particularly educational when I got opportunities to write together with two esteemed professors, which was for me writing training par excellence! Yet, all collaborative working has taught me something new about writing, research work and different scientific cultures – but also about the principles that guide my own work.
Co-writing was also useful in a practical sense: My doctoral dissertation dealing with the relationship of audiences to fictional characters got completed. Promises made to colleagues and jointly set deadlines obligate me better than schedules drafted only for myself.
I was also lucky as I could make the dissertation journey together with another doctoral student, who was also my co-writer in several projects. We supported each other, and I never felt I was alone with my dissertation.
At the beginning of my dissertation work, it was particularly educational when I got opportunities to write together with two esteemed professors, which was for me writing training par excellence!
Dissertation alongside a day job protects from pressures
I was working on my dissertation largely alongside my job, except for a few short grant periods. Because I was working in a teaching post at the University, it was easy to arrange participation in a researcher seminar, for example. Even though the process got drawn out, I was prepared for it at the outset. I learned at an early stage already that dedicating all my free time to research is not sustainable.
Working on a dissertation can be mentally hard, because it involves a lot of assessing and being assessed, but also autonomous decision-making and personal responsibility. As I was already in working life when I started my dissertation work, it gave me some protection against the mental pressures related to it. I already had work experience from several other fields before research work, so my professional identity was not built on the researcher training only.
I would give this piece of advice to those now engaging in dissertation work: Find the right balance and be sure there is enough of other things in life besides your dissertation.
Engaging courageously in different research projects
During my dissertation work, I was involved in other research projects as well, so I was also doing research that was not directly related to the theme of my dissertation. It enriched and enhanced my competences as a researcher, although at times the topics and methods were far from my own areas of strength. It was wonderful to delve into something new!
At the same time I realised that I really love methodology. Broad-based knowledge about research methods has guided my career after the dissertation as well, as I have been working on methodological development.
My advice to new postgraduate students would be this: Say yes to interesting projects and proposals. If you are unsure, consider whether you can learn something new and at the same time contribute to the world in a positive way. Seize these opportunities!
The writer is currently working as Research Manager in the National Archives of Finland.
