MPhil research proposal

[Vasukhani]

Hey All, I'm applying for some programs in the UK -- yes the usually ones for Americans who think they are special or profoundly brilliant. One of the biggest differences between American and British programs is an expectation of having a fairly fleshed out research proposal on application, as British undergrads tend to be more specialized. I definitely have an idea (I want to focus on Russian Emigre communities as part of a wider reconception of the Russian Civil War as a transnational event), and some general source bases, and a basic review of some of the literature, but I feel like I don't have a specific question outside of something like "To what extent did Mensheviks and SRs living in Europe and North America view there work as a continuation of the revolutionary project," which I understand might be too wide. I'd love to know how these proposals went for other applicants. Should I have a full bibliography? 

Some basic info:

BA: IR, Russian language. 

Languages: Russian, (some) French

GPA: 3.83

Publication: Nyet ? 

Thanks, 

[gsc]

Disclaimer that I'm not familiar with research proposals in the UK, but in terms of developing a project and research proposal, I think the key here is in this phrase: "a wider reconception of the Russian Civil War as a transnational event"

Why does it matter that we see the Russian Civil War transnationally? What new understandings does it open up? How does thinking transnationally about the RCW allow you to think differently about the "big stories"— revolution, socialism, World War I, etc (or whatever the big stories of your work are; mine, for example, are decolonization, migration, gendered professionalization- you get the gist) — in ways that aren't possible otherwise? Why do we need this wider reconception, and how will your specific project let us do that?

Then, your sample Q - "To what extent did Mensheviks and SRs living in Europe and North America view there work as a continuation of the revolutionary project?"

I think a question like this works fine as a basic historical question and as the historical core of your project. Strong research questions identify a specific thing to be studied (in your case, Mensheviks living in Europe) and demand an argument in response (they did or did not view their work as a continuation of the revolutionary project). 

Of course you might drill down to the specifics in the body of the proposal, or at least gesture at them: which people? what work? how will you analyze their work in the archives? which archives? etc. But you also want to balance that specificity with the larger stakes and questions. How does this specific historical question (or any historical question you might ask about Russian emigre communities) open up space to understand the larger methodological issue re: thinking about the RCW transnationally? Why should we care about these people and their understanding of their work? How do these "small stories" open up space for the big ones? How will this show us something we didn't already know about the civil war?

A strong research proposal, in any context, articulates why the project matters, and ideally, why it matters now. 

[Vasukhani]

Thanks gsc, I can see you're probably very used to undergrads needing help with coming up with research topics, I could almost hear the TA voice. I also realize I seem like a total toffer by including my "qualifications" in the OP, as this isn't really a "will I get in post/where should I go" post. This helps a bunch though! 

 

 

[glycoprotein1]

With some adjustments as @gsc previously noted, you should stand a good chance. As a not-so-brilliant american with similar stats, I ended up changing my (very specific) proposal and instead studied another topic during my MPhil. It still worked out just fine.