On making a research pitch (and prepare for the job market).
As I was learning to chair dissertations, I had a chance to listen to Varun Grover coach our shared #phdstudent at Clemson University on how to do a research pitch during a job interview.
Years later, he wrote up his advice here: https://lnkd.in/epenxia2
Varun articulates why and how a research pitch can be made concise, engaging, and informative, balancing enthusiasm, impact, and knowledge.
To do so, you need the following parts:
(1) Preamble: Communicate why the topic matters to you, personally and societally.
How to do it:
(a) Frame the research as a practical problem or dilemma.
(b) Place the listener in the shoes of the research's target audience.
(c) Convey enthusiasm to demonstrate that the problem is real and meaningful.
Example: “Imagine you’re a small e-retailer trying to sell a product online. You rely on platforms like Amazon, but this comes with risks—like ceding control over marketing. Should you diversify across platforms or focus on one? These critical tradeoffs are at the heart of my research.”
(2) Your progress: Communicate the depth of your work without overwhelming the audience with details.
How to do it:
(a) Simplify complex theories or methods.
(b) Highlight contrasts in your work (e.g., novel theoretical approaches or innovative methodologies).
(c) Avoid too much jargon or process details
Example: “While most studies focus on consumer behavior, I take a holistic approach, integrating theories of risk and economics. I analyzed data from 2,000 e-retailers across multiple platforms to explore these tradeoffs.”
(3) Takeaways: Deliver potential impactful and memorable findings.
How to do it.
(a) Focus on one or two key results.
(b) Tie findings back to the practical problem or dilemma introduced in the preamble. (this is important)
(c) Avoid presenting findings mechanically (e.g., listing hypothesis results).
Example: “We found that small e-retailers benefit from listing products on multiple platforms only when their products are unique and the platforms serve distinct markets. Otherwise, focusing on a single platform is more effective.”
(4) Link the Parts: Ensure that the preamble, progress, and takeaways are logically connected to tell a cohesive story.
No example needed.
(5) Style Matters: You must practice. You must practice for:
(a) specific audiences. For example, for interviews, align your pitch with the interviewers' interests or research focus.
(b) natural delivery. Aim for a conversational, not a didactic tone.
(c) cadence. You need the flow to feel unhurried and not robotic.
(d) brevity. You need to focus on one essay, not all essays and all projects. Pick one and get the narrative right.
If you attend to points 1 to 3, get your story right (4), and practice (5), you can pitch your work to any audience, and start great conversations about your research.
Best of luck!
#academicjobs