This series is for you if you’re an aspiring researcher wanting to use your research to improve the world as much as possible, and you’re either:
- writing a thesis or dissertation
- writing a PhD application
- otherwise deciding on a research topic within the next 6 months
Over six weeks we’ll send you one email a week introducing concepts and resources that we think are key to doing great research that has a positive impact on the world, along with links to longer explorations of these ideas on our site.

We recommend this guide if you are an undergraduate or master’s student.
- In Part 1 of this guide we will explore how your values could shape your research career, why ‘following your passion’ and specialising early might be misguided or incomplete advice, and how your thesis could help you explore and prepare for the paths you might take in the future.
- In Part 2 we will help you find inspiration for thesis topics, and introduce a framework to help you choose between options and narrow your options down to a specific research question. Finally, we will help you identify concrete next steps for your thesis journey.

If you’re applying for a PhD, this guide can provide comprehensive assistance throughout your journey towards finding the best possible PhD for you.
- In Part 1 we focus on how you can decide whether to pursue a PhD, identify the values you want to guide your research and start generating research ideas.
- In Part 2 we will introduce a framework you can use to narrow your ideas down to a specific research question and ultimately create a PhD proposal.
- Finally, we will help you with finding the best possible supportive environment for your project and identifying the next steps of your PhD journey.