Reconstructing a Future in Research
By completing several courses which required a research paper, Sheldon Alderton had a handful of scholarly papers under his belt. Although many in the same position close the chapter on their hard work upon the completion of a class, Alderton decided to take his projects further. He sought out and attended undergraduate academic conferences where he could present his work.
Sheldon has an insatiable ambition. Once he reaches his peak in any given field, he remakes himself by seeking out new opportunities, constantly constructing a professional path that both is varied and dynamic. It’s this insatiable sense of ambition that has led Alderton down a rather unconventional path to becoming an undergraduate researcher.
He started his career laboring in the construction industry. For the next few years, Alderton worked his way up from first-year sheeter to a foreman employed on a variety of job sites ranging from luxury homes to industrial sites across Saskatchewan.
The catalyst for his next career maneuver was becoming a parent with the birth of his daughter in 2013. At that point, Alderton decided to dedicate some time to furthering his education. This move elevated Alderton’s construction career into various safety-related roles over the following few years. However, never one to rest on his laurels, he eventually realized there were limited opportunities for growth. With his new role as a father in mind, Alderton decided to seek out professional development with more possibilities for upward mobility.
In January 2016 he began taking business classes part-time from Saskatchewan Polytechnic with the intention of transferring to the University of Saskatchewan. By that fall, Alderton had received an acceptance letter to the University of Saskatchewan and quit his full-time construction job to begin undergraduate studies in the College of Arts and Science.
Initially Alderton could have taken an easier path in the College of Arts and Science he decided that, “If [he] was going to go back to school again, [he] wanted to do something that [he] was passionate about.” He landed on philosophy and political studies as pathways to a future without limits. His first foray into undergraduate research was a course requirement for a philosophy class. Initially he was aiming for a decent grade on a course requirement; by the end, he had sparked a passion for research.
Laddering Coursework to Conferences
By completing several courses which required a research paper, Alderton had a handful of scholarly papers under his belt. Although many in the same position close the chapter on their hard work upon the completion of a class, Alderton decided to take his projects further. He sought out undergraduate academic conferences where he could present his work. He discovered conference opportunities through his network of peers and through social media. He decided to submit to two conferences, going on to present at both the 2018 Philosophy, History, Politics Undergraduate Research Conference at Thompson Rivers University in Kamloops, BC and at the 2018 United States, Canada, and Quebec in the Age of Trump Undergraduate Research Conference at Bridgewater State University in Bridgewater, Massachusetts. Without hesitation, Alderton pursued funding so that he could travel to these conferences in addition to paying for a portion of the trips himself. Accessing the U of S Student Travel Award* and receiving further funds from the Departments of Philosophy and Political Studies, he booked flights and arranged accommodations.
As a Philosophy major, the papers Alderton presented followed a philosophic framework; however, each topic was vastly different. Alderton’s research interests have ranged from the history of medicine and medical practice, to animal agriculture and genetic engineering, to the moral permissibility of democratic exclusion. Though each project was unique, Alderton says, “They built on one another in the sense that they helped further my overall research skills, but also deepened my knowledge and ability to look at real world problems through a philosophical lens.” What started as course-based research projects for the sake of classes evolved into something strikingly different, with opportunities to attend “the conferences and the presentations opening [Alderton’s] eyes to the world of academia.”
Through these experiences, Alderton has networked with other students across disciplines – which enables him to constantly view his research through different lenses. “Not only did I make professional contacts with other students and professors, I have made friendships that I think will last a lifetime,” Alderton said. The actual presentations helped Alderton to improve both his public speaking and argumentation skills as well. He admits that deciding to present his research did incite a lot of nerves, particularly about speaking in front of a large group of people. However, he does not regret going for it. “I’ve learned that I can get out of my comfort zone to achieve my goals. I’ve also learned that I can be vulnerable in presenting what I have found and be humble when faced with contrary evidence,” Alderton said of his experiences.
Set your Sights on Research
Now versed in the world of undergraduate research, Alderton suggests that the key to being a good researcher is curiosity. “You have to be excited to follow leads you come across in the research process” and “patience is a virtue when it comes to research,” he said. For others hitting roadblocks with their research projects, Alderton suggests that the trick is to “keep going, keep reading, keep thinking, and keep asking questions and eventually, the pieces will come together.” Though he also suggests not to persevere with your project in isolation, but to seek out the resources available to you as a student on campus. For example, Alderton credits his professors as key to taking his projects to the next level: “Their guidance kept me on track and helped me refine what I was trying to say. I tend to approach a research question from a very big perspective, meaning that I pick topics that could take a book or even a series of books to cover, my professors helped me to narrow my focus.” Alderton also notes that the philosophy and political studies library guides** were instrumental to his research, providing additional resources on topics he was investigating and pointing him in new directions he had not thought of.Instead of viewing research from a purely academic lens, Alderton takes a different perspective. “Every day that I come to campus there is an opportunity to participate in a research project. Even your regular course work gives this opportunity. Outside of university there is daily research that is being done, whether it’s looking for the best flight options or the best restaurant, research is all around us,” Alderton insists. For new students hoping to get involved in the research community on campus, Alderton suggests to “show up to class, ask questions, and follow what interests you. Also, keep an eye out for opportunities to present and watch others present their work, whether this is small talks on or off campus or large conferences. Sign up and participate!”
Sheldon Alderton is heading into his fourth year of a Bachelor of Arts Honours degree, majoring in philosophy with a minor in political studies. You can follow Alderton on Twitter at @sheldonalderton and on Instagram at @sheldonalderton
For more information on student funding for travel head here.
For more information on library guides at the University of Saskatchewan head here.