Research at Dawson

Picture this: a sterile laboratory littered with microscopes and ancient crumbling tomes. A coterie of distinguished, esteemed individuals garbed in patched tweed-jackets and white lab coats huddled close together, their faces scrunched in deep consternation as one points to a board riddled with incomprehensible equations, indecipherable diagrams, and indeterminable stoicism.

This is research, right?

Nope.

Research is not obscure alchemical formulae and baneful bubbling beakers, nor is it reserved for the elites who conduct their pursuits in isolating silos. Research is about asking difficult questions, recognising a problem, and collaboratively working with the community to develop innovating, creative, and sustainable solutions. It’s being with others in the field (or lab or community or library) than alone in an overstuff chair in some dusty university cupola thinking about thoughts. Even foundational and theoretical research is collaborative and has real world implications. Research is advancing knowledge one miniscule step at a time, and this takes on many different forms.

This is even more true at Dawson, as our research community breaks through the assumed impenetrable barriers and brings their projects close to home. Dawson College has a flourishing research environment, characterised by partnerships and student involvement that provide innovating, socially beneficial solutions. Unique to our research landscape is the involvement of students in various research projects, the community’s engagement, and the very transdisciplinary approach to research. Our research community, though small, is mighty in their creativity, passion, collaboration, and success.

Who are involved?

While most of our researchers have terminal degrees, not all do. What’s key for funders is collaboration, something Dawson does very well. Our researchers work with other institutions, communities, industry, or not-for-profit organisations (called external collaboration). Someone sees a problem, bring it to the researcher (who may be the one to see it) and together they work towards understanding and contributing to a solution for said problem—this is typically done with the stakeholders or those who have a reason to ‘care about the problem’. In this way, researchers serve their community, contribute to the advancement of knowledge, and contribute to their own professional development, where their own students also benefit.

But do students benefit?

As intimated, the trickle-down effect for students is palatable. A researcher who brings their research into the classroom will tangibly demonstrate the relevance of their subject matter to real-world applications. This is particularly true for foundational and theoretical research. Complex mathematics or mediaeval history may seem to be irrelevant, but when one realises that they are used to address climate change, pandemic responses, identity and intersectionality, economic and sustainable development, and are pivotal to data-based decision-making and policies, they quickly become relevant and an engaging tool to teach critical thinking within the discipline.

Not to mention, more and more projects are funded if students are involved as well as external collaborations. I won’t say that it’s mandatory, but it is a requirement. Dawson is ahead of the curve because our researchers have been doing this intuitively for years. It’s unsurprising as Dawson researchers are also pedagogues and view research as an opportunity to further a student’s education by providing a space for critical and inventive inquiries.

Getting started in research can be daunting. It is suggested to find and join a research team and learn how one does research in a particular field, what are the administrative tasks, and what are the requirements. See if this is something you’d like to pursue in all its glorious messiness—it’s seldom linear and like life, research rarely goes according to plan. You follow the data and the data leads to interesting paths. Read about research: not just the results but about the process, as research is as much about the way it’s being done as is what came out of it. More importantly, talk to other researchers and those who are involved in research about research. Be prepared to spend a bit of time with them—we love to talk about this!

Research is hard. Often, an idea does not work, but even that is a positive result. It requires a concrete blueprint that allows for huge flexibility because research rarely follows a prescribed timeline or is bothered by the best laid plan. Research takes a life of its own and the researcher recognises this and allows it to speak and develop organically. But it’s always exciting, always challenging, always exhilarating. Ask any researcher and they will tell you: it’s worth it.

-Submitted by Ildiko Glaser-Hille