phd training
Pedagogy
Strong Theory: Great scholarship starts with asking “why,” not just “how.” It emphasizes philosophical depth and critical thinking. I encourage students to take courses in political philosophy, ethics, and epistemology to sharpen their ability to engage with fundamental questions that underpin social inquiry.
Strong Methods: Interdisciplinary methodological training is essential for producing rigorous and innovative research. However, students should seek out methods courses grounded in disciplinary traditions–such as econometrics in economics, psychometrics in psychology, and ethnography in anthropology. These courses cultivate both technical skill and epistemological awareness, helping students recognize the assumptions, strengths, and limitations of various approaches.
Strong Research Design: Solid empirical research design connects theories and methods. It is a hard skill best developed through hands-on practice, critical discussion, and learning from mistakes–rather than through lectures alone.
Typical Timeline (Illustrative)
| Stage | Milestones | Example Coursework & Activities* |
|---|---|---|
| Years 1–2 | Lay theoretical and methodological foundations; support my ongoing projects; attend first conferences | Foundations of Public Policy · Political Philosophy · Research Design & Qualitative Methods · Data Management / Research Life Cycle · Social Statistics: Linear Models · Introduction to Programming · Fundamental Statistics |
| Years 3–4 | Advance to candidacy; launch an independent side project; co-author with me; present at conferences | Ethnography: Critical Perspectives · Epistemology · Dynamic Models & Longitudinal Data · Psychometric Theory & Methods · Econometrics · Statistical Analysis in Political Science · Experimental Design · Computational Social Science Methods |
| Year 5 + | Polish dissertation; prep job-market materials; cultivate your scholarly voice | conference presentations · pedagogy workshops · mock job talks |
*Exact sequencing flexes with your background and departmental offerings; titles here, although from the course plans of my doctoral students, simply illustrate the kinds of skills each phase may cover.
Throughout these stages our working relationship evolves—from apprentice (watching me design studies) to collaborator (co-developing ideas) to peer (steering your own agenda with me). By the time you defend, you will have a firm grasp of core theory, a diverse methodological toolkit, and a portfolio of publishable work that marks you as a rising voice in the field.