During the first week of the DBA program a professor spoke to us about how to think about our research. I don’t remember exactly how she expressed it but the sentiment was not to think of our research as “it”, an object that we pick up and put away, but it should be part of who we are. She concluded that you don’t get a DBA, instead you BECOME a DBA. At the time what she was saying seemed very odd, and overwhelming, especially because she indicated that everyday you should be thinking and working on your research. I had no idea how I would find the time, or space, for research to play such a large this role in life.
Interestingly a year later, as I write this post, I am beginning to understand what she was suggesting to us. I typically spend between 10-15 hours a week on my research. Reading articles on the subway to work, typically doing 60-90 minutes in the evenings after work, with a break on Friday nights. Usually I am in the library for about 6 hours on Saturdays and I take Sundays off. In addition to this scheduled time, research is becoming part of who I am, how I think and approach the world. I have a much keener interest in understanding the perspectives of others and frequently reflect on ideas, theories and methodology, whether it is related to my field of study or not.
I am musing on this topic because tomorrow I am heading of for a 5 day vacation with my partner. I am really looking forward to fun and frolic, and I am not taking any papers, text books, or my laptop!! It will be the longest stretch that I have had without doing scheduled work on my thesis. That said, I suspect that there will be moments where I be thinking and reflecting on my research nonetheless. Looking forward to a lovely vacation and posting when I return.