By: Afkaheen Alam
Going from the hallways of a high school where teachers know your name to having classes with several hundred students in Curtis Lecture Hall can feel intimidating. Even for the most academically motivated student, knowing where to start with research and what academic paths are available in the future can be quite overwhelming.
That’s where Pizza with Profs comes to the rescue! The first event of the series focused on ‘Going into Research’.
Most attendees were first-year undergraduate students who came out to meet new people and engage with Professors from across the Faculty in an informal and welcoming setting.
It is nice to have people coming to in-person events, especially after Covid and especially for first-year students. It’s a great open space to meet professors and even students!
— Twylan Best, First-year Children Childhood and Youth Student
It was interesting and fun to speak to some of the professors here about their areas of interest and how they conduct research. It was also nice seeing other students and talking with them.” – Jullian Xu, Third-year Political Science Student
— Jullian Xu, Third-year Political Science Student
It was very welcoming. The professors are very open, you can ask them literally anything and they will answer… it was very inclusive
— Haris Nawaci, First-year Law & Society Student
It was insightful to see how research is conducted and how professors got to where they are today, and what they really enjoy about it. It was great to hear from a professor from my own program too!
— Jennifer Spinney, a Disaster and Emergency Management student.
It was interesting to hear Professor Johnson’s perspective at York and more about her position, as well as meet new people and gain a lot of information.
— Melika Golshani, Sociology Student
When researching, Professor Lim advised a solution to over-researching. One of the tips he provided students was to look at the prominent authors in the field and reference their work in your papers. He also advised, when choosing a topic, to consider if it will get you a job and to investigate the interests of the universities that you might want to work for. Professor Lim also suggested conducting a project with a research librarian.
Looking to get involved in research?
Did you know that there are research opportunities for undergraduate students? A summer research term under the supervision of a professor can be an excellent way to find out if you’re interested in pursuing graduate studies. Many programs within LA&PS also offer the option to do a “Supervised Reading and Research” course where students can work one-on-one with a faculty member researching a topic within their field of study that they find interesting. Basically – the opportunity to create your own course.
Recently the Faculty held an event celebrating undergraduate summer research through the D.A.R.E. program.
Regardless of your motivations or interests, it’s hard to say no to free pizza and an excuse to socialize.
Don’t miss out on future Pizza with Profs events:
Pizza with Profs: Grad School Options
Date: Wednesday, October 18th, 2023
Time: 12:00 -1:30 p.m.
Location: Vanier Renaissance Room 001
Pizza with Profs: Collaborating with Professors
Date: Wednesday, November 15th, 2023
Time: 2:30 – 4:00 p.m.
Location: Vanier Renaissance Room 001
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