Who Can Be A Researcher? | Merle Massie | TEDxUniversityofSaskatchewan

Summary

The speaker redefines 'research' as an inclusive, action-oriented journey, emphasizing its origins from the Old French 'rechercher', meaning 'go seek'. They argue that research is not exclusive to the elite but a personal pursuit open to all, fostering a culture of discovery and growth. By embracing the concept of 'go seek', the speaker hopes to alleviate imposter syndrome and expand the research community across disciplines, celebrating individual contributions and encouraging equal communication for a vibrant, diverse research environment.

Takeaways

• 🎁 The speaker introduces a 'gift'—a new definition of 'research', aiming to make the concept more inclusive and welcoming.
• 🙌 The audience is asked to identify as researchers, showing a significant portion of attendees are either researchers or aspire to be.
• 🔍 The speaker discusses the branding problem of the word 'research', suggesting it might not be as encompassing as it should be due to add-on words like 'scholarly' and 'creative'.
• 🤔 The concept of research as 'elite' and 'exclusive' is challenged, as it can exclude those not considered part of this elite group.
• 🏆 The speaker criticizes the practice of awarding research based on high marks, which may not correlate with the innovation needed for research.
• 🔄 The speaker proposes a redefined view of research, emphasizing its original meaning as 'go seek', a verb indicating action and journey.
• 🛤️ Research is likened to a journey with energy, discovery, and unexpected paths, accessible to anyone at any time, similar to Bilbo Baggins' unexpected adventure.
• 🚫 The distinction is made that research is not about 'finding' but 'seeking', challenging preconceived notions and being open to being wrong.
• 💡 The redefined definition of research as 'go seek' is intended to remind us that discovery can happen at any moment and that everyone's perspective is valuable.
• 🌟 The speaker hopes that embracing this definition will help address imposter syndrome by recognizing the intrinsic value of each individual's unique thought process.
• 🌐 The final goal is to expand the community of research practitioners by breaking down barriers between disciplines and celebrating diverse contributions to knowledge.

Q & A

What is the main theme of the speaker's address?

The main theme is to redefine the concept of 'research' and to make it more inclusive and welcoming to a broader range of people.

Why does the speaker believe the word 'research' might have a branding problem?

The speaker suggests that the word 'research' has been associated with add-on words like 'scholarly' and 'artistic', implying that it may not be as encompassing or welcoming as it should be.

What is the speaker's view on the current perception of research as 'elite' and 'exclusive'?

The speaker argues that viewing research as elite and exclusive can be problematic because it excludes those who are not considered part of this elite group, which goes against the spirit of inclusivity in research.

What is the historical origin of the word 'research' according to the speaker?

The speaker, being a historian, traces the word 'research' back to its origin in Old French, where it is derived from two action words, 'go' and 'seek', emphasizing the idea of a journey with energy and discovery.

How does the speaker differentiate between 'research' as 'go seek' and 'go find'?

The speaker explains that 'go seek' implies an active and sustained search, even when the outcome is uncertain or changes along the way, unlike 'go find', which suggests a predetermined outcome or confirmation of pre-existing beliefs.

What does the speaker hope to achieve by offering a new definition of 'research'?

The speaker hopes that by redefining 'research' as 'go seek', it will remind people that discovery can happen at any moment, celebrate the individuality of research pursuits, and address the issue of imposter syndrome.

How does the speaker's personal experience with feedback contribute to the discussion on research?

The speaker shares a personal anecdote where feedback from a senior colleague initially horrified her but ultimately led to learning and growth, illustrating that everyone's perspective is valuable in the research process.

What role does the speaker believe individuality plays in research?

The speaker emphasizes that individuality is crucial in research because it brings originality of thought, making each person's contribution unique and valuable.

How does the speaker suggest we can address imposter syndrome in the context of research?

The speaker suggests that by reclaiming research as an action word and recognizing the intrinsic value of each person's unique thought process, we can help reduce the feelings associated with imposter syndrome.

What is the speaker's vision for the future of research in terms of community and inclusivity?

The speaker envisions a future where the community of research practitioners is expanded across disciplines and beyond academic silos, with equal communication and engagement among all participants.

How does the speaker conclude the address to inspire the audience about research?

The speaker concludes by encouraging the audience to view themselves as researchers if they wish to 'go seek', emphasizing that this mindset makes them researchers in the present, not just in the future.