SOP Question: talking about organizational partners?

[strangepeace]

Hi all,

 

I'm currently a PhD applicant for Fall 2014. My main interest is in the political development of fragile states (in particular, institution building in post-conflict states and how politically weak or transitional governments deal with issues arising from resource scarcity and resource abundance). I've identified professors at several universities who have overlapping interests in this area and am currently working on my SOP.

 

Currently, I am a consultant to two large international organizations. One of these organizations has projects in Somalia, Myanmar, Uganda, Kenya, the Congo, etc. This organization is aware that I am pursuing a doctorate and has expressed interest in finding ways to partner for field work and/or dissertation research (potential for in-country logistical support and financial support). Nothing is formalized, since I have yet to be admitted, but they've asked me to assist them in developing proposals for several large grants that would probably assist in funding this work. My question is this: should I talk about this in my SOP? Is there a more appropriate place to bring this up or should I not mention it at all? I'm afraid that it will come across as too "practitioner" and not academic enough.

 

Thanks, I appreciate any thoughts you may have.

 

 

 

[strangepeace]

Bumping this--would really like others' thoughts.

[CGMJ]

I assume you're planning to talk about your experience with these orgs in your statement, since it's part of your background? If so, perhaps you can work in a hint about this when talking about future research goals. For example, discuss your work with these organizations and how it had shaped your current research, and then say something about how you're interested in applying polisci theory/methods to similar questions. 

 

However, if it were me I would avoid explicitly talking about any financing or specific plans, since I think you're right that many programs avoid candidates who sounds too wedded to the policy/implementation world. For some professors, however, the knowledge that you already have connections with donors/NGOs will positively signal potential for future research/funding opportunities without having to say it explicitly. 

 

But maybe people have different thoughts...