Doctoral Colloquium/ APMAA

Updated on February 25, 2016
　

APMAA Doctoral Colloquium

The APMAA Doctoral Colloquium offers an opportunity for PhD students to receive high-quality feedback from external reviewers, and to interact with peers, exchange ideas, discuss concepts, and establish formal and informal cooperation with various research groups. Doctoral students and candidates at all stages are welcome to submit a thesis-position paper, but preference will be given to students at the earlier stages of their doctoral work. A thesis position paper, should clearly state:

· The original key idea / hypothesis of the thesis

· The problem domain and the specific problem addressed

· An overview of related work in the area of the PhD work

· Methodological approach

· Research carried out

A student at an earlier stage can present the original key idea or hypothesis that they would like to develop, including the problem domain and the specific problem addressed;

An overview of related work in the area of the PhD work; a possible methodological approach and then elaborate on the specific paper they would like to present. It can be a case study, a pilot work discussion, a proposed data analysis etc. The sessions will allow students to get international feedback from the discussants and other participants. The feedback can be used to improve the paper in terms of data analysis, literature review, theoretical underpinning etc.

What is the APMAA Doctoral Colloquium?

APMAA Doctoral Colloquium provides a unique opportunity for doctoral students to develop their research ideas, to learn about the challenges of conducting research and building a successful academic career, and to broaden their professional network.

The colloquium has the following objectives:

・Provide a setting where students can present their work and meet other students,

・Provide feedback on students' current research and guidance on future research directions,

・Offer each student comments and fresh perspectives on their work from researchers and students outside their own institution,

・Promote the development of a supportive community of scholars and a spirit of collaborative research, and

・Contribute to the conference goals through interaction with other researchers and conference events.

Call for Papers: APMAA 2016 Doctoral Colloquium

The APMAA 2016 Doctoral Colloquium aims to provide PhD students with an invaluable opportunity to receive high-quality feedback from external reviewers, engage with peers, exchange ideas, and establish both formal and informal collaborations with research groups. The colloquium invites doctoral students and candidates at all stages of their PhD journey to submit a thesis-position paper, with preference given to "those who have completed their dissertation proposals."

Key Elements of a Thesis-Position Paper:

Introduction to the Research Problem
- This section clearly defines the research question or problem that the thesis will address. It typically includes the motivation for the research, its relevance, and the gaps in existing literature that the thesis intends to fill.
Theoretical Framework or Literature Review
- A brief overview of the key theories, models, or concepts relevant to the research question. This section shows how the proposed research fits within the existing body of knowledge and identifies the major debates or areas of inquiry the thesis will engage with.
Research Objectives and Hypotheses
- The paper should outline the specific aims of the research, as well as any hypotheses or expectations that the researcher seeks to test or explore.
Methodology
- A description of the research methods to be used to answer the research question. This might include qualitative or quantitative methods, data collection strategies, and analysis techniques. If the research is still in the proposal or early stages, this section may outline the planned methodology and justify why it is appropriate for the research objectives.
Preliminary Findings (if applicable)
- If the student has already begun collecting data or conducting research, this section would include any early results or observations. If the research is still in the conceptual or planning stage, this section might focus on expected outcomes or how the research will unfold.
Contribution to the Field
- This section explains what the research aims to contribute to the field. It could be a new theoretical framework, new empirical data, or a practical application of knowledge. The emphasis is on how the research will advance understanding in the area.
Conclusion and Future Work
- A brief summary of the anticipated results and any next steps. The thesis-position paper might conclude by outlining the structure of the planned dissertation and the timeline for completing the work.

Submission Requirements
To participate in the Doctoral Colloquium, doctoral students should submit a single PDF file containing the following documents:

Introductory Letter
Please explain what you hope to gain from the colloquium and what you can contribute to the discussions.
Research Statement
A one-page summary of your research field. If you are at the dissertation stage, this statement should focus on your dissertation research.
Curriculum Vitae (CV)
Please include your current academic CV.
Letter of Recommendation
A letter from your primary dissertation advisor outlining what you can contribute to the colloquium and what you stand to gain from it.
Paper Submission
A research paper (approximately 4,000–8,000 words). This could be a draft of your dissertation, a thesis proposal, or a work-in-progress that you would like to discuss.

Event Details
The Doctoral Colloquium will be held in conjunction with the APMAA 2016 Annual Conference. The event will provide a unique opportunity to engage with senior scholars and fellow doctoral candidates, gaining insights and constructive feedback to support your academic development.

We look forward to your submissions and to seeing you at the colloquium!