Master’s and doctorate: How research areas and groups work in practice
One of FGV’s distinctive features is that students only select their research area after they have obtained a certain degree of knowledge at the institution
Research groups in a master’s or doctoral program are fundamental for students who want to delve deeper into specific topics, collaborating with colleagues and professors who have similar research interests.
It was in this context that FGV News interviewed Benjamin Tabak, coordinator of the Master’s in Public Policy and Government Program at the School of Public Policy and Government (FGV EPPG), and James Frade, a former student on this program, as part in our “Beyond Academia” series of articles. This series is designed to promote discussion between students and/or professors on topics relevant to the academic world.
Research groups are usually led by a professor or senior researcher and may be linked to departments, laboratories or research centers. They offer several benefits for both professors and students, such as deepening their knowledge in an area of interest and exchanging knowledge and experiences with other researchers, as well as the opportunity to publish and present their work at conferences.
According to James Frade, one of FGV’s distinctive features is that students only select their research area, aided by their advisor, after they have obtained a certain degree of knowledge at the institution.
See the full interview below.
How should you choose your research area?
Benjamin – Students choose their research area after the first six months of the course. They first of all go through a series of basic subjects in which we discuss public administration, public policies and government issues.
James – One of FGV’s distinctive features is that students only select their research area, aided by their advisor, after they have obtained a certain degree of knowledge at the institution.
What impact does participating in a research group have on your academic or professional career?
Benjamin – We have various research groups. Students choose which groups they want to join and they carry out work in them, contributing to papers and taking part in a series of activities that greatly enrich their knowledge. This helps a lot later on in their academic and professional lives.
James – Participating in a research group allows students to have contact with a variety of highly specialized professors, which will enable them to acquire other skills and competencies, facilitating their academic life.
How has the experience of being part of a research group influenced your professional and academic development?
James – In my case, taking part in a research group was very interesting, because something we find in vogue today is precisely discussion of public policy. This is based on evidence, and the possibility of participating in a research group brings us closer to cutting-edge studies that can be put into practice in our day-to-day work.
Benjamin – Something else that’s important to remember is that when you take part in a research group, you end up taking part in a research network as well, so you learn a lot not only from the professors, but also from your colleagues. So, you end up making contacts and forming a collaboration network, which is very important when you’re in this academic environment, thinking about research and answers to questions that society needs quite quickly.
Please give some examples of research carried out or in progress within research groups.
James – I can mention my own experience. A lot of the work that matured within the research group helped me with my thesis. Today, for example, I can help the Federal District government formulate a local policy on missing persons. Much of this knowledge was developed within the research group together with the professor, who directed the knowledge so that it could leave academic life and go on to practical knowledge.
Benjamin – We have various research groups, including some that are discussing public policies applied to mental health and health in general. We’re discussing how we can measure mental health literacy and we’re applying this research in various contexts, including the security forces here in the Federal District. A paper is being written now to contribute to this problem of mental health within the security forces.
To find out more about FGV EPPG, visit its website.
This article is part of our Beyond Academia series. See the previous articles in the series below:
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