Crafting Your Research Agenda: Think of It as Storytelling

When you're on the academic job market, one crucial part of your application package is your research agenda. But here's the thing: your research agenda isn't just a list of past projects and future goals. It’s a story—your story as a scholar. If you think of it this way, your agenda becomes much more engaging, cohesive, and compelling for search committees.

So, how do you transform your research agenda into a narrative? Let’s break it down.

Start with a Strong, Eye-Catching Beginning

Just like any good story, your research agenda should begin with a hook—something that draws readers in. This isn’t the time for a dry recap of your research field. Instead, ask yourself: What’s the big question or central problem that drives my work? Why is your research important, and why should others care?

For example, instead of opening with “My research focuses on gender and disability,” consider something more dynamic, like:

"How do societal assumptions about gender and disability limit the autonomy of marginalized individuals? My research seeks to answer this question by examining the intersection of identity, agency, and power across multiple contexts."

This sets the stage for your narrative, framing your research as part of a broader, ongoing conversation in your field.

Weave Together Storylines

Your research agenda isn’t just a timeline of completed and upcoming projects—it’s a set of interconnected storylines that come together to form a cohesive body of work. Think about how your past, present, and future research projects relate to one another. What’s the throughline that connects them?

Here are some ways to weave your story:

• Theme-Based Threads: Identify key themes that run throughout your work. Maybe all of your projects explore concepts like justice, marginalization, or identity in different ways. Use these themes to tie your research together.

• Methodological Approach: If you use a distinctive methodology—whether qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods—emphasize how this approach gives your research its coherence. Show how it’s allowed you to answer your big questions, and how it will continue to shape your future projects.

• Evolution of Ideas: Describe how your ideas have developed over time. What inspired your initial interest in your field? How have your experiences shaped the direction of your research? What unanswered questions have emerged from your findings, and how will they guide your future work?

Think of each project as a chapter in the ongoing story of your research career. By weaving these threads together, you create a sense of momentum that builds toward your future research plans.

Add Depth: Explain the "Why" Behind Your Work

A compelling research agenda doesn’t just explain what you study—it delves into why you study it. What motivates your research, and what impact do you hope to have? This is where you show your passion and commitment to your field.

Maybe you’re driven by a personal experience, or perhaps you’re motivated by a gap in existing literature. For example, if your work focuses on healthcare disparities, explain how witnessing these inequities firsthand inspired your research trajectory. If your passion is building inclusive learning environments, describe the moments or encounters that sparked this focus.

A powerful narrative makes it clear that your research isn’t just an academic exercise—it’s a mission.

Keep It Forward-Looking

While it's important to explain your past research, a strong research agenda also spends time looking forward. What exciting questions are on the horizon? How will you extend your current research into new areas? Where do you see your work in the next five to ten years?

Use this section to show that you’re not done yet—far from it. You have a clear vision of where your research is headed and how it will contribute to your field in meaningful ways. For example:

"Moving forward, my research will focus on the intersection of disability rights and digital spaces, exploring how new technologies can be used to empower marginalized communities."

This shows that you’re not just a scholar reflecting on what’s been done—you’re a scholar shaping the future of your discipline.

Emphasize Impact

As you close out your research agenda, don’t forget to highlight the broader impact of your work. How does your research contribute to society, policy, or public knowledge? Will it inform better practices, improve understanding, or challenge established assumptions?

Search committees are increasingly looking for scholars whose research can make a difference beyond the ivory tower. Make sure to show how your work engages with real-world issues, whether through public scholarship, community-based research, or influencing policy.

Final Thoughts: Make It Memorable

Ultimately, your research agenda should tell a story that readers will remember. Start strong, weave your research into a cohesive narrative, explain your motivations, and point toward the future. Treat it less like a formal statement and more like a personal account of your intellectual journey. The committee reading your materials wants to know not just what you’ve done, but why it matters and where you’re going.

So, when you sit down to write your research agenda, remember: you’re not just filling in the blanks—you’re telling the story of your scholarly life. Make it one worth reading.