Ecosystem Under the Words

Writing the Big D was a BIG step for Dr. Bessie and I. We needed to fill so many gaps in our research and build our writing competencies. The biggest gap for me was to understand how to do the research project.

It is critical to comprehend “how to do it”! Then you can worry about accomplishing the what and why which are crucial. I learned that trying to complete my dissertation by focusing on what or why is not the most sustaining process. Once you figure out how to accomplish it, then, the what and why start to fall in place.

The Accidental PhD

When I started my academic journey many moons ago, earning my PhD was barely a flickering light. Actually, I wanted to go to college because my brother did. I figured if he could do it, then college must be a cool thing. The PhD part was a distant side journey. Or did I get here by accident?

Trust the Dissertation Process

Thinking about how to start the whole dissertation process can be overwhelming. A dissertation will not only teach you how to fish deep for information, but it will also challenge you to no end. Be prepared to take on the biggest and most gratifying challenge of your life.

The dissertation is probably one of the greatest challenge you will ever face in your educational life. You will understand this process more after finishing your dissertation. Dr. Bessie and I want to give you tips on how to meet the big expectations of writing your dissertation.

The Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference

Last weekend, I went to the Massachusetts Urban Farming Conference (UFC). This annual event is in its fifth year and continues to engage people in the multi-sector urban farming community.

Critical Thinking Toolkit

Thinking is something we do all the time. It means using your brain to work through challenging ideas. Critical thinking is not rocket science – it’s a  process to help us think clearly and make connection between ideas. When you reach your dissertation stage, you’ll need a critical thinking toolkit: Journaling, Analysis, Synthesis and Understanding. I’ll describe how I used these tools for my dissertation.