Mari Hauge
Reflection on the SPS Dissertation Event
On Thursday 26 September, the Social and Public Policy Society hosted a highly anticipated dissertation writing event at the Glasgow University Union's (GUU) Drawing Room. We decided to organise this event in response to overwhelming student demand for guidance and the event was aimed to create a supportive environment where attendees could discuss their uncertainties about the dissertation process. With a panel of lecturers and recently graduated students, the discussion focused on practical advice and personal experiences.
The panel featured Dr. Alister Wedderburn (IR and Politics), Dr. Joanna Stewart (Urban Studies & Social Policy), and Dr. John Cox (Urban Studies & Social Policy), as well as recent graduates Elle Tashdjian and Aileen Stewart, both of whom provided invaluable insight into navigating the dissertation journey from a student’s perspective.
After introductions, the event was underway with a Q&A discussion. One of the key points was the importance of selecting a topic that aligns with personal passions. As Alister highlighted, “most great dissertations usually start with a puzzle, right? Something that demands explanation, something that’s unexpected or curious or strange”. This advice resonated with many students, especially those struggling to pinpoint a topic they could remain dedicated to.
The panellists also emphasised the need for a strong relationship with dissertation supervisors. Several participants shared their own experiences of how open, collaborative discussions with supervisors helped them refine their research focus and develop methodologies tailored to their projects. Joanna mentioned how students could draw from their extracurricular interests, combining academic rigour with personal enthusiasm, a sentiment echoed by Elle, who advised students to view their dissertations as more than a purely academic exercise. Both Elle and Aileen also encouraged students to reach out to their peers to discuss their topics and help each other whenever they feel stuck in the writing process.
The conversation naturally shifted to common pitfalls, with the panel offering practical advice on managing the different stages of writing. A key piece of wisdom was to begin writing as early as possible to identify gaps in understanding, a recommendation that Aileen found helpful during her time as a student. The importance of maintaining continuity and coherence across chapters was also highlighted, with John stressing that inconsistencies between the literature review and methodology sections could undermine an otherwise strong dissertation.
Perhaps one of the most reassuring messages was the reminder that students should not be overwhelmed by the process. Alister noted, “You’re doing this for the first time, so it’s important to be patient with yourself,” while several of the participants encouraged students to reach out for help early and often.
The event concluded with some informal networking, allowing attendees to engage with the panellists one-on-one. We hope that this helped grow a sense of community, offering students further opportunities to seek advice.
Overall, the evening was a success, hopefully leaving attendees better equipped to tackle their dissertations with confidence. Events like these not only provide practical help but also reassure students that the dissertation process, while daunting, is a valuable learning experience.
I wanted to say thank you to all who participated in the panel, and all the students who attended, as well as the Student Experience Forum (STEF) for funding the event. For those unable to attend, we encourage you to take a look at the SPP society Link Tree on our instagram where you can both read the transcript and the summary of the event.
– Mari, President of the Social and Public Policy Society