statement of research interest stellenbosch university

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Research process: proposal.

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• Useful tools for research
• What is a research proposal?
• 5 Principles of writing a research proposal
• Possible formats of research proposals
• Elements of good proposal
• Video on research proposals
• Useful reading

The research proposal answers the following questions:

​ Adapted from K. Punch, 2006:20

Statement of the problem:  This section should include a clear and concise statement of the purpose or goal of the project.

Literature review:  A proposal should reflect your understanding of relevant bodies of literature and where your study fits in that context. The literature review should trace the central themes in the literature, highlight major areas of disagreement, and reflect a critical stance toward the materials reviewed.

Conceptual framework:  What theories or concepts will guide the study? How or why do they suggest the specific hypotheses or research question? What are the strenghts and weaknesses of the proposed framework? The proposal should contain clear evidence that you understand the theoretical perspective and can work with it.

Hypotheses or research questions:  Following the description of the conceptual framework, there should be a clear, crisp statement of the research hypothesis, or in the case of some qualitative studies, a concise description of the phenomena to be examined. An explanation of why testing the hypothesis or answering the questions is appropriate for elucidating the research problems and show consistency with the conceptual framework should be included.

Methodology:  This section consists of a description of plans for collecting and analysing the data.  What instruments will be used? Why are they appropriate for this study? Is there evidence of the insturments' reliability and validity? How and to whom will they be administered? What procedure will be followed in the data analysis? For qualitative studies, there should be an explanation of the purpose of observation and interviews, and, if possible, some indication of their content and format.

Task structure (scope of work):  This section indicates exactly what will be done, the sequence of the various activities and the products of deliverables that will be prepared.  Planning a viable schedule for carrying out the tasks is often as important as developing a comprehensive list of tasks.

Budget:  A few research proposals also require budget information. Budget information include the amount of total expected cost both direct and indirect, cost of any equipment required, cost of field study, accommodation and conference participation etc. If any other organisation is sponsoring the project then that information should also come in this section.

Reference:  Your references should provide the reader with a good sense of your grasp on the literature and how you can contribute to it. Be sure to reference texts and resources that you think will play a large role in your analysis. Remember that this is not simply a bibliography listing ‘everything written on the subject’. Rather, it should show critical reflection in the selection of appropriate texts.

This video developed by Massey University (New Zealand) provides a good introduction to what a research proposal is, what elements it should include and how it should be structured.

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How to apply

Applications for the 2025 intake close on 31 October 2024 . A first round of selections and notifications will happen in August/September, so apply early if you can! Please keep in mind that space is limited.

To apply for admission into the MSc programme, follow the steps below.

• Go to the applicant portal on SUNStudent , create a profile if you haven't already, and log in.
• Faculty: "Faculty of Science - Stellenbosch"
• Programme type: "Postgraduate"
• Programme: "MSc (Machine Learning and Artificial Intelligence)", full-time or part-time
• Complete the required information from the menus on the left panel.
• a comprehensive CV
• a letter of motivation
• a statement of research interest
• Note that you do not need to identify an academic supervisor. Accepted students will have an opportunity after the start of the programme to speak to potential supervisors and indicate research project preferences. If the SUNStudent system does ask for confirmation of a prospective supervisor, please upload this letter .
• If you are happy with the terms, submit your application. Note that there is an application fee of R100 for South African applicants (no fee for international applicants or current SU students).

For general information on the online application process, study fees, support services, and more, follow this link to Stellenbosch University’s website for prospective postgraduate students.

Stellenbosch University | Political Science

CENTRE FOR RESEARCH ON DEMOCRACY

Profile and Mission

The Centre for Research on Democracy (CREDO) at Stellenbosch University is an interdisciplinary academic centre with a global reach dedicated to the study and promotion of democracy and its values. Established in 2021, CREDO nevertheless builds on a 25-year long history of studying democracy in South Africa in a global perspective and is strengthened by a team of academic experts on Africa, South East Asia, MENA, Latin America, Eastern and Western Europe. Disciplines represented within the centre include political science, international relations, economics, sociology, and history.

CREDO’s institutional network includes over a dozen institutions of higher learning and research as well as two global data gathering projects: The World Values Survey (WVS) and Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem). This international academic community has readily responded to our call to help ensure the continuity of our longitudinal research on challenges to democracy in both South Africa and globally. Since establishment, CREDO’s team of research associates has grown by leaps and bounds to include academics from across the globe.

Besides conducting research, CREDO is steadily building up a series of initiatives designed to promote the increased engagement with democracy by students and non-academics. Thus far, these initiatives have included the African Data Hub for the Study of Democracy and the African Democracy Essay Award . Through regular webinars , CREDO is also positioning itself to become a national hub for debates on contemporary issues affecting South Africa’s democracy and its active promotion in the country. Most recently, CREDO has begun publication of a regular email newsletter for business leaders, policymakers, and the curious public. Democracy Delivered is published monthly and provides insight and analysis on the latest democratic trends and developments. 

Management Team

Prof Ursula van Beek, Founding Director ORCID | CV | Email

Prof van Beek’s academic career spans three decades, beginning with the  first cross-cultural comparative study on democratic transitions in South Africa and Poland. She is responsible for the establishment of both the Transformation Research Initiative and the Transformation Research Unit, CREDO’s predecessor organisations.

Damien du Preez, Research Coordinator Email  |  Bio  |  Twitter  |  LinkedIn

Damien is a graduate of Stellenbosch University, having completed a BA in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics. He’s been involved in CREDO since its inception and is passionate about c ontributing to projects and organisations creating positive change in the world. He is the initiator and co-chair of CREDO’s Citizens Assembly Working Group .

Kira Alberts, Research Associate Email

Kira is a Master’s student at Stellenbosch University and a KAS-CREDO Scholar. Her thesis topic focuses on the comparative analysis of disinformation and voter behavior in the Global North and South, a topic which draws on her keen interest in the intersection of African politics and technology. She is the co-chair of CREDO’s Citizens Assembly Working Group .

Sonia Twongyeirwe, Research Assistant Email

Sonia is a Bachelor’s student at Stellenbosch University with a passion for understanding and investigating Africa’s ever-changing political landscape. She is interested in promoting informed political decision-making through well researched political information.

Prof Hans Agné, Stockholm University, Sweden Bio | Email

Research interests: 

Democracy beyond the state Legitimacy in global and regional institutions Comparative democratic politics, in particular EU politics Normative and international theory 

Prof Dirk Berg-Schlosser, Philipps University Marburg , Germany ORCID | Email

Research interests:

Comparative politics          Democratization studies         Political culture research         Comparative methodology         Development and African studies

Prof Ebru Canan-Sokullu, Bahçesehir University, Turkey ORCID | Bio | Email

Public opinion and foreign policy Populism (with EU focus) Comparative democratisation  Regional power politics

Prof Nicholas Cheeseman, Birmingham University, UK Bio | Email

Democracy and democratization Elections, observation, and autocracy promotion Corruption and the social contract The politics of Africa, including, Ghana, Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Zambia, Zimbabwe

Dr Lloyd Chigowe, National University of Lesotho,  Lesotho Email

Democratic governance Political polarisation Human rights and development Regional integration

Prof Yilmaz Esmer, Bahçesehir University, Turkey CV | Email

Comparative Values Culture and cultural change Survey research methodology

Prof Christer Jönsson, Lund University, Sweden ORCID | Bio | Email

International negotiations Diplomacy and the role of transnational networks in international cooperation

Prof Hans-Dieter Klingemann, Social Science Centre Berlin, Germany CV | Email

Political systems The quality of the democratic process Parties and party systems Electoral behaviour Political science as an academic discipline

Prof Radoslaw Markowski, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poland Email

Comparative politics Party systems Electoral studies Democratization

Dr Catherine Musuva, University of Witswaterstrand, South Africa ORCID |   Email

Electoral politics and democracy in Africa Governance institutions and actors Comparative politics Migration

Prof Philip Nel, University of Otago, New Zealand CV | Email

Comparative politics of preferences for or against income and wealth redistribution The political economy of development Ethics and international relations

Prof Marie-Eve  Desrosiers ,  University of Ottawa,  Canada Bio  |  CV  |  Email

Governance in Africa Authoritarianism, political protest and state-society relations Conflict and insecurity in fragile states African Great Lakes Qualitative field methodologies and ethics  

Dr Leon Poshai, Midlands State University, Zimbabwe Email

Political participation and activism Electoral systems management Democratic backsliding Tactics for opposition politics Governance and public management

Dr Krige Siebrits, Stellenbosch University, South Africa ORCID | CV | ResearchGate | Email

Fiscal policy Economic policymaking Institutional economics

Prof Ursula van Beek, Stellenbosch University, South Africa ORCID | CV | Email

Historical memory and identity Comparative historical analyses Cultural values and democracy

Prof Dennis Lu-Chung Weng, Sam Houston State University, USA Bio | ORCID | Email

Comparative political behaviour  East and Southeast Asian politics Public opinion and survey research Political psychology Generational politics

Prof Laurence Whitehead, Oxford University, UK Bio | ORCID | Email

Comparative politics in Latin America Democratization International political economy

Dr Cindy Lee Steenekamp, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Bio | ORCID | Email

Political behaviour Political culture Social capital Survey research

Dr Guy Lamb, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Bio | Email

Policing and governance Violence prevention and peacebuilding Crime and conflict African security Arms control and disarmament

Dr Derica Lambrechts, Stellenbosch University, South Africa Bio | Email

Environmental crimes Organised criminal groups as domestic non-state actors Governance complexities in African urban spaces Political risk in Southern Africa

Dr  Melis Gülboy Laebens ,  Oxford University, UK Bio | CV | Email

Democratic backsliding Political parties and party organisation Voter behaviour  Turkey, Poland, Ecuador, and Colombia

Dr Jan Boesten, Freie Universität  Berlin, Germany Bio | CV | Email

Comparative politics (democratic quality, institutional development, and legal politics) Latin American studies (Colombia and the Andean region) Conflict studies (crime-conflict nexus and order in civil war)

Dr Gergana Dimova ,  Florida State University London Study Centre, UK Bio | CV | Email

Accountability in domestic and international settings Democracy, democratisation and de-democratization Blame-shifting and blame-avoidance De-politicisation

Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa ,  Stellenbosch University, South Africa ORCID | CV | Email

Elections Racial nationalism Civil society History and politics of Zambia

Dr Justin Pearce, Stellenbosch University, South Africa CV | Email

Southern African political history, particularly Angola and Mozambique The Global Cold War Ideology, political identities and international connections in anti-colonial struggles Civil war, post-war politics and peace building

Shreya Mishra, SOAS University of London, UK Bio | CV | Email

Multilateralism International organisations Comparative politics Indian and Chinese foreign policy Global South and Great Power politics

Prof Andreas Freytag, Friedrich-Schiller-University Jena, Germany Bio | Email

Climate change and development policies Values-based international economic relations  for sustainable development EU-Africa international relations African economic integration The G7 process  

Our History

The Transformation Research Initiative (TRI) was established in 2000 at the Centre for International and Comparative Politics at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. The predecessor for what would become the Centre for Research on Democracy, TRI was an informal group of academics who represented the disciplines of political science, sociology, economics, history, and theology, hailing from eight countries located in globally diverse cultural regions. Their common quest was the pursuit of quality research on democracy. 

Following TRI came the Transformation Research Unit (TRU) , launched in 2015  at Stellenbosch University, South Africa. Building on the work of TRI, and supported by many of the same academic experts, TRU’s mission was to organise research projects that would  monitor the cultural conditions for the persistence of democratic regimes. In 2022, TRU was officially reorganised into the Centre for Research on Democracy, a fully institutionalised research centre to be located in the Department of Political Science  at Stellenbosch University, South Africa.

Research Agenda

CREDO continues the tradition of taking into account the fluctuating global context against which to conduct comparative case studies. The object of the inquiry is to identify and examine developments posing threats to democracy, both at the global and country levels. 

African Focus Group

The objective of this research project is to identify and then analyse key problems that are adversely impacting the legitimacy of democracy in a broad set of African cases. Once identified, these problems will be extrapolated to countries in other non-Western regions to establish if they are present and, if so, how they are affecting democratic legitimacy in these cases. The project was greatly informed by the outcome of a research workshop hosted at Stellenbosch University in March 2023, which  brought together scholars from South Africa, Canada, Kenya, Lesotho, the United Kingdom, and Zimbabwe for two days of intense discussion and celebration.

Final results will be structured as a series of journal articles to be submitted to the Canadian Journal of African Studies for publication as a special issue sometime in early 2024.  Contributors to this project include Prof Ursula van Beek, Prof Marie-Eve Desrosiers, Prof Nicholas Cheeseman, Dr Leon Poshai, Dr Krige Siebrits, Dr Catherine Musuva, Dr Lloyd Chigowe, Dr Derica Lambrechts, Dr Guy Lamb, Kira Alberts, Dr Justin Pearce, and Dr Sishuwa Sishuwa.  

Global Focus Group

This research projects aims to consider the various ways in which democracy can be, and  has been, undermined, with a particular attention paid to the specific factors that tend to erode  the legitimacy of the democratic system of rule. The project was first outlined at a research workshop hosted at Stellenbosch University in November 2023, which brought together scholars from South Africa, the United Kingdom, Poland, New Zealand, Taiwan, Germany, India, and Uganda.

Final results will be structured as a series of  journal articles to be submitted to the Journal of Asian and African Studies for publication as a special issue sometime in 2025.  Contributors to this project include Prof  Dirk Berg-Schlosser, Prof Laurence Whitehead, Prof Radek Markowski,  Prof Philip Nel, Dr  Dennis Weng, Kira Alberts, Dr Jan Boesten, Prof Derica Lambrechts, Shreya Mishra, Sonia Twongyeirwe, Prof Ursula van Beek, and Prof Yilmaz Esmer. 

Citizens Assembly Working Group

In response to the growing political and scholarly interest in citizens’ assemblies (CAs) as a potential response to the ongoing ‘crisis of democracy’, the Centre for Research on Democracy (CREDO) at Stellenbosch University convened a Citizens Assembly Working Group in February 2023. To be composed of African and international scholars and co-chaired by Damien du Preez and Kira Alberts, the working group aims to investigate the relevance and suitability of CAs for South African democracy as well as to introduce original Global South contributions to the fields of deliberative and participatory democracy. As the first African-led research initiative of its kind, and given the current saturation of the field of scholarship and practice with Global North thinking, the working group stands to make a significant and unique contribution to the scholarly and practical development of democracy.  The group’s proposal document can be read here .

Research Outputs

Special Issue in the Taiwan Journal of Democracy

CREDO’s first research output was the publication of eight essays in the July 2021 special issue of the Taiwan Journal of Democracy . These essays focused on the intersection of democracy and polarisation, and have also been featured in a series of three articles for Democracy in Africa . 

Book: “ Democracy Under Pressure: Resilience or Retreat?”

Soon after came the Published in November 2022 with Palgrave Macmillan is the centre’s first major publication, an edited collection of academic essays entitled  Democracy Under Pressure: Resilience or Retreat? The book can be accessed  here .

Made up of contributions from CREDO research associates, the book seeks to identify the main factors shaping the fortunes of democracy globally. Why do some democracies in the same region and presumably subject to similar global influences remain stable while others regress? The book includes examinations of 16 democracies and insights from the perspectives of history, political science, economics and international relations, and is anchored in the analytical tradition.

You can follow CREDO on Twitter , LinkedIn , and YouTube . You can also subscribe to our newsletter, Democracy Delivered , for monthly insight and analysis on democratic trends and developments. If you’re interested in our work, w e welcome emails from potential colleagues and curious students from across the globe.

• Graduate School

Research Interest Statement Samples That Worked

A good research interest statement sample can be hard to find. Still, it can also be a beneficial tool for writing one and preparing for a grad school application or post-graduate position. Your research interest statement is one of the key components of your application to get into grad school . In a few cases, admissions committees have used it instead of an interview, so it is important to write a strong essay. We’ve provided research interest statement samples for you in this blog post. We have also included several tips that will help you write a strong statement to help improve your chances of getting accepted into your dream program. 

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Article Contents 13 min read

What is a research interest statement.

A research interest statement is essential for most graduate school, post-graduate, and academic job applications. Sometimes, it may be referred to it as a " statement of intent " or "description of research interests." While they are similar, research interest statement may require some additional information. Generally, your statement will pride a brief overview of your research background, including your past research experience, the current state of your research, and the future research you'd like to complete, including any required equipment and collaborations. It is usually written in the form of a short essay. Still, of course, different graduate programs can have specific requirements, so make sure to check the program you are applying to and read the particular instructions that they give to ensure your research interest statement meets their requirements. 

Your research statement plays a big role in the committee's decision. Ultimately, they are trying to figure out if you, as a person, and your research, would be a good fit for their program. A strong statement can help you convince them of this by showing your passion for research, your research interests and experience, the connection between your interests and the program, and the extent of your writing skills which is really important for paper and grant writing, and thus for earning money for your research!

Undergraduate programs are centered around classes, but graduate and post-graduate programs are all about your research and what your research contributes to your discipline of choice. That is why a research interest statement is so important, because it is essentially a way for you to share this information with the program that you have chosen.

Writing a strong statement can be helpful to you, as well. Having to explain your research and talk about your goals coherently will give you a chance to define your future research and career plans, as well as academic interests.

What Should Your Research Interest Statement Include?

The exact requirements of the research interest statement can vary depending on where you are applying and for what position. Most faculty positions will need you to produce a separate file for your statement, and most of the time, for an academic program, you can simply include your statement within your CV for graduate school .  

Need to prepare your grad school CV? This video has helpful advice for you:

Unless otherwise stated by the program or faculty that you are applying to, your statement should be one to two pages long or between 600 and 1000 words. If you are including your description of interest statements on your resume, then it would be ideal to keep it between 400 and 600 words. Most programs will give you guidelines for the research interest statement so make sure you follow those. They rarely include a specific question or prompt but they might ask for a particular detail to be included in your interest statement. For example, a university’s requirements may look something like this: “In your statement of interest, you should detail your study and/or research interests and reasons for seeking admission. You must identify a faculty member from the Anthropology of Department with whom you are interested in being your advisor. The length of a statement of intent should be 2 pages in length (single-spaced, Times New Roman font size 12 point)”

Your statement should include a brief history of your past research. It should tell the committee what you have previously set out to answer with your research projects, what you found, and if it led to any academic publications or collaborations. It should also address your current research. What questions are you actively trying to solve? You will need to tell the committee if you’ve made any progress, what you have found, if you are connecting your research to the larger academic conversation and what the larger implications of your work actually are. Finally, you want to talk about the future of your research. What further questions do you want to solve? How do you intend to find answers to these questions? What are the broader implications of your potential results, and how can the institution you are applying to help you?

Before we show you some examples, let's go over a few essential things that you need to keep in mind while writing your research interest statement to make sure it is strong. 

Preparation

Give Yourself Ample Time: Much like with other components of your application, like your CV or a graduate school interview question , preparation is the key to success. You should give yourself enough time to thoroughly research the program or faculty you are applying to, gather all the information or documents that can aid you in writing, and then write and rewrite as many times as you need to. Give yourself at least 6 weeks to draft, redraft, and finalize your statement. You may also want to consider investing in a graduate school admissions consultant as they have more experience writing these types of essays and may see things that you can’t.

Research the Program/Faculty: The purpose of your research interest statement is to tell the committee all about your research plans, how it will contribute to the field and convince them that not only is their institution is the best place for it, but that you will be an asset to them as a candidate. To do this, you need to know what kind of candidate they are looking for, what kind of research they have been interested in in the past, and if there is anything particular that they require in the research interest statement. Remember, expectations for research statements can vary among disciplines and universities, so it is essential that you write for the right audience.

The Format / Writing Style

Your research statement should be in an academic essay format. It needs to be concise, well-organized, and easy to read. For graduate school, PhD or post-doc positions, your research interest statement will usually be a part of your resume. We recommend that you stick to the following things when it comes to the format:

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The Content

Introduction: This is a functional academic document, unlike college essays or personal statements, so you want to go straight to the point and focus on the key information that needs to be conveyed. You want to use this paragraph to tell the committee why you are writing this statement. In other words, you should clearly state what kind of research you are interested in pursuing at the institution in question and explain why you are drawn to the subject. 

Body: This is your “why and how” paragraphs. In 2 or 3 paragraphs, you should expand on your interest, background, accomplishments, and plans in the field of research. Depending on your level of experience, you may use this time to talk about your previous or current research. If you do not have much experience, then you may use this paragraph to talk about any skills or academic achievements that could be relevant. 

Conclusion: To conclude, you should restate your interest and tie it back to the research you intend to continue at the university. Be specific about the direction you’d like to take the research in, who you’d like to work with, and what the institution has that would help you. We also suggest including a concise statement that reiterates your unique suitability for the program, and what you can contribute to it and your chosen field.

Common Pitfalls to Avoid

Being Too Personal: Often, students will confuse the statement of purpose and the research interest statement or letter of intent. It is essential to understand the difference between these two documents because some programs will ask for both of these documents. There is quite a bit of overlap between the two essays, so they are very easy to mix up. Both documents ask applicants to focus on their research interests, relevant past academic & professional experiences, and their long-term goals in the field. However, a statement of purpose is more of a personal statement that describes your journey and overall suitability for a program. In contrast, a research interest statement is a more formal academic document specific to the research you intend to pursue in a program. It will include many details such as the faculty members you want to work with, the program facilities and resources you wish to use, etc.

Not Following Guidelines: As mentioned earlier, these statements can vary depending on the discipline and the faculty. It is crucial that you review all the institution's guidelines and follow them. Some schools will have a specific word count, others may simply give you a maximum and minimum word count. Others may even have a specific prompt or question that you will need to answer with your essay. You want to make sure that you are following the instructions provided by the program. 

Using Too Much Jargon: Your statement will be read by people who are most likely knowledgeable, but they might not be from your specific field or specialty. We understand that it may not be possible to be clear about your research without using a few niche words, but try to keep them at a minimum and avoid using acronyms that are not well known outside of your specialty.

Having One Generic Statement: The requirements of your research statement are different from one school to another, and you should tailor your letter to the program you are writing to. We know that the research and experience you are talking about are still the same, but the qualities and aspects of that experience you play up should help you appeal to the school you are applying to. For example, if you are applying to a very collaborative program, you should highlight your collaborations and your experience working as part of a team.

Looking for tips on getting into grad school? This infographic is for you:

Research of Interest Statement Samples

Below are sample research interest statements for reference: 

Research Statement of Interest 1

Jennifer Doe

As the child of an immigrant, I have always been fascinated by the relationship between identity, geographic territory, and economic development. With the rise of globalization, there is a broader effort in the social sciences to study the link between cultural identity, human mobility, and economic development in the contemporary world. I hope that my research will contribute to this as well. I am applying to the X University Global Anthropology program, as it is the best place for me to explore my research interests and channel them towards my long-term goals. I believe that my undergraduate education and the research experience it gave me have prepared me to undertake advanced research projects, thus making me an excellent candidate for this program.

I spent the first two years of undergraduate studies taking psychology courses. I went to university knowing that I wanted to learn about human behavior and culture. I was thirsty for information, but I did not know what kind of information just yet. It wasn’t until I took an elective anthropology class in my second year and started discussing identity in anthropology that something clicked. Unlike many other social sciences, anthropology explores the different ways that cultures affect human behavior and that connected right away with my experience as an immigrant. I have been passionate about the subject ever since, and I intend on spending my career exploring this topic further.

In the long run, I am interested in understanding how geography affects the construction of one’s cultural identity, especially when it comes to immigrants. Literature already exists on the topic, but most of it examines the upper levels of this process of social reproduction, concentrating on the roles of governments and associations in promoting ties between migrants and their homelands. Prof. Jane Doe Smith is one of the anthropologists researching the transnational migration experience, and I hope to have the opportunity to work with her at X University.

I was fortunate to be part of a summer research experience as an undergraduate, which took place in several west African countries, including Mali, Senegal, and Nigeria. Dr. Sam Smith was leading the research, and my time on his team allowed me to gain hands-on experience in research while living abroad. One of the things that I did almost daily was interview the subjects in a controlled environment, and sometimes I got to be a part of traditional ceremonies. I learnt how to observe without being intrusive and how to interact with clinical subjects. The experience only strengthened my curiosity and conviction that today more than ever, we need to understand what identity is and the different factors that can affect it.

I enrolled in several challenging research-oriented courses such as Applied Statistical Inference for the Behavioral Sciences, Principles of Measurement, and more throughout my degree. I was also able to work as a research lab assistant for one of my mentors, Mr. Jonathan Smith. I worked with him while he studied the relationship between identity, culture and “self.” My main duties were to assist in the creating of surveys and other assessment materials, administer written and verbal tests to participants, create literature reviews for potential resources, create summaries of findings for analysis and other office duties such as reserving testing rooms. This particular experience allowed me to get some hands-on experience with data collection, data analysis, report preparation and the creation of data summaries.

I know that there is a lot more that I can learn from the X University. I have seen the exemplary work in anthropology and other social studies done by the staff and alumni of this school. It has inspired and convinced me beyond the shadow of a doubt that pursuing my graduate studies in your program meets my personal, academic, and professional goals objectives.

My advanced research skills, passion for anthropology and clinical research, as well as my academic proficiency make me the ideal candidate for X University's Clinical Global Anthropology Master’s program. I believe that X University’s rigorous curriculum and facilities make it the perfect place for me, my long-term career goals and my research commitments. 

Jamie Medicine

I am applying to the brain and development master's program of X university because it is one of the few universities that not only has a program that combines the two disciplines that I majored in my undergraduate studies: Psychology and Linguistics; but also because it is a program that I know would allow me to grow as a researcher, contribute to my chosen fields and achieve my long-term career goals. My research is motivated by two of my favorite things: language and music. To be more specific, hip-hop music. In 20xx, Rollingstone magazine published an article stating that hip hop was now more popular than rock and roll. The rise in popularity of this initially very niche genre has sparked a conversation in specific academic fields such as psychology, sociology, linguistics, and English about the use of language within it but also the effects that it can have on those who listen to it. I hope to one day contribute to that conversation by studying the relationship between hip-hop music and vocabulary development, and I believe that pursuing this particular research interest at X university is the best way for me to do that.

There are many potential places this research may lead me and many potential topics I may explore. Furthermore, there are many things that it would allow us to learn about the effect that music has on our brains and society at large.

I was fortunate enough to work under Dr. Jane D. Smith at the University of X for two years while conducting her recently published study on vocabulary instruction for children with a developmental language disorder. During my time in her lab, I interviewed participants and put together evaluation materials for them. I was also responsible for data entry, analysis, and summarizing. This experience gave me the skills and the knowledge that allowed me to exceed expectations for my final research project in undergraduate school.

One of my undergraduate degree requirements was to complete a small independent study under the supervision of a professor. I chose to study music's effect on children's vocabulary development. Several studies look for ways to decrease the million-word gap, and I wanted to see if this thing that I am so passionate about, music, had any effect at all. I compiled multiple literature reviews and analyzed their results, and I found that there is indeed a correlation between the number of words that a child spoke and the amount of music that they were exposed to. 

This research is currently being explored on a larger scale by Prof. John Doe at X university and learning from him is one of the many reasons I have applied to this program. I took several research methodology courses throughout my degree, and I would love to enroll in the Applied Statistics for Psychology course he is currently teaching to build upon the foundational knowledge I already have. There are several other faculty members in the brain and language department with whom learning from would be a dream come true. In addition to that, working with them is a real possibility because the research they are currently doing and the research I hope to pursue are greatly matched.

I genuinely believe that X university has the curriculum and facilities that I need to meet my long-term goals and research commitments. I also believe that my academic achievements, eagerness to learn, and passion make me the perfect candidate for your program. 

Interested in some tips to help you manage grad school once you're there? Check out this video :

It is essentially an essay that provides a brief overview of your research experience and goals. This includes your past research experience, the current state of your research, and the future research you'd like to complete. It is also sometimes referred to as a "statement of intent" or "description of research interests."

This statement tells the admissions committee more about you as an applicant. It gives you the opportunity to tell them more about your research (past, present, and future) and show them that you are a good fit for their institution.

No. Some graduate school programs might ask for a statement of purpose and a writing sample instead, or they could ask for none of the above. You should always check the requirements of the specific program that you’re applying to.

Generally, your statement should be 400 to 1000 words or about two pages long. That said, most programs will give you guidelines so make sure you check those and follow them.

You certainly can but we do not recommend it. You should always tailor your statement to the program you are applying to. Remember that the aim is to convince the admissions committee that you are a good fit for their school so make sure you highlight the qualities and values that they care about.

We recommend that you doublecheck the information provided by your chosen program as they often have specific instructions for the format of the letter. If none exist, make sure that the format of your document is pleasing to the eye. Stick to easily legible fonts, a decent font size, spacing, margins, etc.  Also, it is best to keep the content of the letter concise and professional.

We recommend giving yourself at least 6 weeks to write your statement. This will give you ample time to brainstorm, write a strong letter, read it again and edit it as many times as necessary. It also gives you enough time to get expert eyes on your letter and work with them to improve it if you wish.

No. Research interest statements are often required for post-graduate school applications and for other positions in academic faculties.

Absolutely! You can always reach out to admissions professionals, such as graduate school admissions consultants or grad school essays tutors .

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Thank you for your excellent site

BeMo Academic Consulting

You are very welcome, Rasool!

Sadia Sultana

hello, thanks for providing guide line for Research Interest statement, the important aspect of scholarship application. Kindly guide me, What should be the title of the Research Statement. Thanks

Hi Sadia! Check the requirements of your school first. They might provide some info on whether a title is even needed. 

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Stellenbosch University delivers research for impact

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Researchers at South Africa’s Stellenbosch University responded quickly to the demands of the Covid-19 pandemic, demonstrating agility in their approach and a focus on the future

I n its mission to become Africa’s leading research-intensive university, Stellenbosch University (SU) has demonstrated a stellar performance over the course of the pandemic. Its strategy is built around six core themes, one of which is “research for impact”, and its academics and researchers have lived up to this pledge.

Examples of research in action over the course of the pandemic include genomic sequencing to document the spread of coronavirus – conducted in collaboration with several other South African universities – and research into biomarkers that can predict the severity of the virus in patients.

Interdisciplinary working plays an important role in the university’s research goals, whether that’s within South Africa or addressing wider challenges such as the effects of increased globalisation.

The university has identified five strategic research areas: the natural environment; health and human security; social justice and development; human creativity and social innovation; and systems and technologies for the future.

“Training and investing in young academics so that they can become skilled researchers whose work focuses on making a societal impact and finding solutions to societal challenges is imperative,” says Wim de Villiers, rector and vice-chancellor of SU. “We have seen this with Covid-19 over the past year, when academics and researchers contributed to various initiatives to respond to the pandemic’s impact across the continent.”

Two initiatives at SU, among others, support its development of academics and research. First, its African Doctoral Academy, which was launched in 2009 to deliver doctoral training across Africa and has been offered remotely during the pandemic. The academy provides training on teaching in a digital world, supervising a PhD, academic writing and mixed-methods research. The academy will continue to run virtually even as campuses reopen.

Second, in June 2021, the university launched its School for Climate Studies, which focuses on interdisciplinary research to tackle issues around sustainability. Working with other institutions nationally and internationally allows SU researchers to find synergies with other teams that will contribute to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals. SU is a member of several global networks, including the Global Alliance of Universities on Climate, Venice International University and the African Research Universities Alliance.

SU is not concentrating just on responding to the demands of the physical environment. The university intends to position itself as an agile institution with a research focus on Society 5.0 – a society that is human-centred and balances economic advancement with solving social problems.

According to Hester Klopper, deputy vice-chancellor for strategy, global and corporate affairs at SU, this has forced the university to reflect on its strategy, structures and processes so it can cope with future disruptions and to review its academic programmes to ensure that they meet society’s demands and prepare students for the changing world of work.

Technology plays a pivotal rolein helping SU achieve these aims and has been vital to its response to the Covid-19 pandemic. Students have been able to choose between attending lectures in-person or joining remotely, and they have access to digital platforms that enhance their learning experience.

Meanwhile, SU’s School for Data Science and Computational Thinking, launched in 2019, offers interdisciplinary and trans­disciplinary digital studies that will deliver skills fit for the future. “In being agile, universities can ensure they continue to play an integral role in Society 5.0, generating knowledge that serves society and the futures to follow,” Klopper says.

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Welcome to the stellenbosch university open 4 research platform for the identification of international research funding opportunities..

To navigate the Open 4 Research platform:

• Explore  the “Search for funding” or “Browse funding” options ( tabs at the top or ‘buttons’ below )
• Attend the SU Division for Research Development's (DRD) info sessions on 23 April and 20 Aug 2024
• View a   previously recorded DRD info session  here . The 18 minute video will show you how to create your profile, how to optimally search for relevant funding opportunities and how to create alerts to show up any future opportunities pertaining to your profile
• Contact   [email protected] or  [email protected] for general enquiries
• Contact   [email protected] for budgets related to research grant applications

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Research Proposal and Thesis Format

This is a written presentation of an intended research specifying the problem, the purpose, scope/objectives, methodology, references and the financial plan/budget. A synopsis is an outline of the research proposal of 3-5 pages length (including references) which is currently required for provisional admission to Ph.D and other doctoral degree studies at Makerere University.

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​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Research Committee of Senate advises the Senate on matters relating to research. This Committee has the authority to conduct certain matters on behalf of the Senate and makes a contribution to the promotion of research at Stellenbosch University.

Subcommittees A, B and C advise the Research Committee on matters relating to their particular areas of expertise and are empowered to allocate central research funds to researchers and to scrutinise submissions for evaluation and funding to the NRF. The subcommittees are at liberty to apply different criteria in the allocation of funds but need to submit the broad categories and criteria to the Research Committee for approval.

There are four standing subcommittees of the Research Committee:

• Subcommittee A for the faculties of Arts and Social Sciences, Education, Law, Theology, Economic and Management Sciences and Military Sciences
• Subcommittee B for the faculties of Science, AgriSciences and Engineering
• Subcommittee C for the faculty of Health Sciences
• The Subcommittee regarding Central Analytical Facilities (CAF)

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Academic and research staff

Nelius Boshoff

Prof. Nelius Boshoff is an Associate Professor at CREST and the current Chairperson. He is an NRF-rated researcher with interests in studies of research uptake and impact, research collaboration, and bibliometric analysis with a focus on research in Africa.

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Nico Cloete

Prof. Nico Cloete specialises in the area of higher education studies. He is the former director of the Centre for Higher Education Trust (CHET) and coordinator of the Higher Education Research and Advocacy Network in Africa (HERANA). He is also a guest professor at the University of Oslo.

Sarah Goodier

Sarah Goodier, an M&E Researcher at CREST, contributes to the University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP), advising on M&E plans, training, and quality assurance for collaborative projects. With an MPhil in Programme Evaluation and an MSc in Molecular and Cell Biology, she has authored peer-reviewed articles and a book chapter on evaluating socially responsible graduates through a global citizenship program.

Marina Joubert

Prof. Marina Joubert is a Senior Researcher and Lecturer in public engagement with science at CREST. Her research interests focus on the public engagement behaviour of research-active scientists, as well as current trends in science communication ecosystems.

Johann Mouton

Prof. Johann Mouton is the director of the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Scientometrics and STI Policy and Professor in the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST). His research interests are the sociology of science, higher education knowledge production, research evaluation, scientometrics and science policy studies.

Heidi Prozesky

Prof. Heidi Prozesky is an associate professor at CREST. Her research interests are the sociology of science and scientometrics, with a focus on women in science and early-career researchers in Africa. The research projects she undertakes form part of SciSTIP’s research line on human resources for science and innovation.

Robert Tijssen

Professor Dr Robert Tijssen is professor in scientometerics. He is a board member of SciSTIP. He holds the Chair of Science and Innovation Studies at Leiden University, The Netherlands. He is a research fellow at the LDE Center for Frugal innovation in Africa (an inter-university research consortium of Leiden University, Delft University of Technology and Erasmus University Rotterdam), and one of the international research partners at the Centre for Global Higher Education (University College London).

Milandré van Lill

Dr Milandré van Lill is a senior researcher at the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST) and is involved in several research projects of the DSI-NRF Centre of Excellence for Scientometrics and STI Policy (SciSTIP). Her research interests include human capacity for higher education and science and technology, the sociology of science and research methods and methodology.

Lauren Wildschut

Dr Lauren Wildschut is the director of the Evaluation Studies Programme in the Centre for Research on Evaluation, Science and Technology (CREST). Her research interests are evaluation education, evaluation theories, professionalisation of evaluation and qualitative data analysis.

About CREST

CREST covers the broad fields of bibliometrics and scientometrics, research on higher education knowledge production, human resources in science and technology, research evaluation and impact assessment studies and studies on the communication patterns of scientists.

South African COVID-19 Resource Portal –  sacoronavirus.co.za

General enquiries – Marthie van Niekerk Email: [email protected] | Tel: +27 (0)21 808 3708

Postgraduate studies at CREST – Bernia Drake Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @CREST_SU

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences, Stellenbosch University, Krotoa Building Building, 52 Ryneveld Street, Stellenbosch, 7600, South Africa

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