Doctoral Colloquium 2023-24

Doctoral Colloquium Series

The colloquium series is a critical aspect of doctoral education. It allows students to begin discussing their research ideas with a broader audience and field questions about their work. The videos below are the sessions presented as part of the 2023-24 Doctoral Colloquium Series.

Dissertation Research Planning:
Working with PADS on your Dissertation Research

August 31, 2023

Join third-year Arts Administration PhD student, EveMarie Bessenbach, and Dr. Gregory Hawk, Research Assistant Professor, for a discussion on collaborating with the Predictive Analytics and Data Science Hub (PADS Hub). The PADS mission is to build bridges between statisticians and researchers, provide training, improve methodology for statistical analyses, and advance research programs both within and outside of the field of statistics.

Understanding IRB: Seeking Approval or Exemptions for Your Study

October 27, 2023

Whether your research involves surveys, interviews, or any other non-medical methodologies, this presentation will provide invaluable insights into the world of Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval. You'll learn when IRB approval or exemption is necessary, how to craft a winning IRB application, write an effective informed consent form, and the timeline you need to plan for during your dissertation research. Join Pam Stafford, Associate Director of the Office of Research Integrity at the University of Kentucky to discover more about working with UK IRB. 

Using Generative AI to Support Early Research 

January 26, 2024

In this session, we will delve into the application of generative AI in early-stage research. We'll explore its potential to assist with various aspects of the research process, including topic generation, formulating research questions, conducting literature reviews, and shaping methodologies and research approaches. Participants will have the opportunity to experiment with generative AI as a research tool. To conclude, we will assess both the benefits and limitations of utilizing AI in research.

Presentation Styles for In-Progress Research

February 23, 2024

Conferences, symposia, and colloquia may seem intimidating at times; and despite that, you can share your research whether it is in its infancy or half-way there. In this session, we will explore a variety of presentation types that are appropriate for the dissemination of your work at any stage. You may find that there are a surprising number of options for how to share anything from an early stage idea to a well-developed concept in remote (synchronous or asynchronous) and face-to-face settings. This week's presenters will even demonstrate with a repeat performance from a recent conference presentation of some of their in-progress work. 

Student Presentations

March 29, 2024

Human Resource Policy: The Influence of the Unions on the Regional Theatres
Kate Holland

There are few standardized Human Resource Policies in the theatre industry as a whole. The formal and informal policies that do exist appear to have roots in the work rules associated with the collective bargaining agreements between the entertainment unions and the theatrical organizations.  This research intends to look specifically at the connection between the League of Resident Theatre organizations and the primary unions that negotiate with them to see how the collective bargaining agreements drive the organizational human resource policies.

Evaluating the Community Arts Program of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service

Melissa Bond

The Cooperative Extension System is a large network of over 3,000 local offices connected to land grant universities across US states, territories, and tribal nations.  This study aims to develop an evaluation framework to assess the arts and design programs offered by Kentucky’s Cooperative Extension System, focusing specifically on ways these programs contribute to community economic development.  Through a mixed-methods approach, the research intends to identify key indicators of success and provide insights on additional ways states can evaluate their arts and design programs through lessons learned from the Kentucky model.