Call for Research Writers: What Will You Investigate This Semester?

We’re putting out a call to all student researchers and writers in this course:

Tell us what you want to explore, why it matters to you, and what you’re already discovering.

Your project starts with one simple move: choosing a theme, topic, and guiding question that you actually care about.

Then, using the tools available research tools , you’ll begin to see what other researchers have already found—and where your own question might fit.

Use the steps below as a guide, then share your ideas.

1. Choose Your Research “World”: The 5 Themes

First, decide which world you want to work in. Our course offers five:

1. Sustainability and the Future
2. Technology and Society
3. Health and Well‑being in the Modern World
4. Globalization
5. The Future of Work

As you read through the theme descriptions and sample guiding questions, ask yourself:

• Which theme keeps pulling my attention back?
• Which one connects naturally with my major or future career?
• Where do I already have questions or frustrations?

This is your chance to choose a world that feels alive to you, not just “doable.”

2. Try the Tools: See What’s Already Out There

Once a theme catches your eye, go hunting.

Use any (or all) of these:

• Course materials
  • Theme descriptions, sample topics, and guiding questions
• Research tools e.g.
  • Horizon Navigator: to find out emerging topics
• Primo Research Assistant: to get a quick overview of how scholars talk about your idea—key terms, sub‑topics, and related questions
• Everyday sources -News articles, podcasts, apps you use, social media trends: to find out what's trending

Your job here is to peek into the conversation:

• What kinds of problems do people care about in this area?
• What are some recurring issues, debates, or gaps?

Take a few notes. Screenshot or save a couple of things that seemed interesting or surprising.

3. Commit: One Theme, One Topic, One Guiding Question (for now)

Now we want to hear from you.

4. Share Your Choice: Why This, and What Have You Found?

As a contributing research writer, tell us:

1. Your chosen theme, topic, guiding question and refined questions
   • Example:
     • Theme: Technology and Society
     • Topic: Wellness-focused technologies
     • Discipline: Engineering
     • Guiding Question:
       “How do wellness-focused brands leverage engineering and technology in product development, such as fitness wearables, apps, and other innovations?”
     • Refined Questions:..................
2. Why you chose it
   • How does it connect to your interests, your programme or your future plans?
   • What personal experience or curiosity pulled you towards it?
3. What you discovered when you started exploring
   • What did you find using e.g. Horizon Navigator tool, news or other research tools?
   • Any key terms, ideas, or issues that stood out?
   • Did you notice certain patterns (e.g. everyone talks about data privacy, behavior change, sustainability trade‑offs, etc.)?
4. Where you think your research could go next
   • A more specific angle you might explore (e.g. a particular group, technology, or problem)
   • A question you’re now asking that feels smaller and more focused than the original guiding question

5. How to Contribute

When you’re ready, share a short post (or paragraph) that follows this structure:

1. Theme & Topic:
2. Discipline:
3. Guiding Question:
4. Refined Questions:
5. Why I chose this (3–5 sentences):
6. What I’ve found so far (key sources, ideas, or surprises – 15-20sentences):
7. Possible direction for my own research question (5-10 sentences):

By contributing, you’re not just picking a topic—you’re joining a community of writers who are all exploring different corners of the same five worlds.

We’re looking forward to seeing:

• Which themes attract which disciplines
• What research tools helped you notice
• How your first discoveries are already shaping the questions you want to ask