Servant Scholarship: Choosing a Dissertation Topic That Helps
Choosing a dissertation topic? Dr. Maggie Broderick shares "servant scholarship" — how to pick research that helps real teachers and students instead of just checking a box.
In this conversation, Dr. Maggie Broderick — associate professor at National University, dissertation chair, and editor of the International Journal of Online Graduate Education — joins Vicki Davis to explore how doctoral students and classroom teachers alike can choose research with a servant's heart.
In this episode, you'll learn:
- What "servant scholarship" is and why your motivation ("your why") shapes better research
- How to support teachers of less commonly taught subjects who often feel isolated
- Why connecting research to practice — and policy — matters more than just "learning the ropes"
- How researchers can keep a servant's heart even when funding is involved
- Encouragement for anyone weighing a PhD or EdD
Full show notes and resources: https://www.coolcatteacher.com/e953
If this episode helped you, please rate the show and leave a review wherever you're listening — it helps more educators find these conversations. And share it with a teacher friend who's thinking about grad school.