Doctoral Student Parisa Setoodegan on Seminar Tour: “A Valuable Platform for Presenting Research in Depth”
Receiving feedback from colleagues within the same research field was one of the main goals when doctoral student Parisa Setoodegan embarked on a seminar tour through Malmö, Lund and Gothenburg to present her research.
This spring, Parisa Setoodegan, PhD student at ETOUR, presented her research at three universities: Malmö University and the Department of Migration Studies, where Sayaka Osanami Törngren hosted her; Lund University in Helsingborg and the Department of Service Studies, where she was welcomed by Malin Zillinger; and the University of Gothenburg and the Department of Human Geography and Tourism, hosted by Robin Biddulph and Jerry Olsson.
– I’ve built a network of academic colleagues through various conferences, especially the Nordic Symposium on Tourism and Hospitality Research. That’s where I got the idea to present my research at higher seminars in departments closely related to my subject. I think that higher seminars offer a valuable platform to present research in depth and to receive scientific feedback in a more focused and engaging environment, says Parisa.
Broad audience with relevant expertise
Parisa is currently midway through her PhD journey, researching inclusive domestic tourism, with a focus on outdoor activities and immigrant participation. The departments she visited were carefully selected because of their expertise in areas connected to her research. Additionally, the seminars were open to other departments as well – something Parisa believes broadened the audience and the feedback she received.
– The feedback, which came from doctoral candidates, senior researchers, and specialists in migration, geography, and tourism, was both insightful and constructive. I started planning and coordinating the trip months in advance, reaching out to contacts at each university to arrange a schedule that was both time-efficient and environmentally conscious. I also collaborated with local organizations and outdoor activity leaders such as Hej Främling! to conduct fieldwork in southern Sweden.
The seminar tour aligned with several goals in Parisa’s research process.
– It allowed me to strengthen my academic networks and receive critical feedback from researchers at different institutions. I was also able to assess the relevance of including southern Sweden in my empirical research and to prepare myself mentally and intellectually for my mid-term seminar. It was also a great and fun opportunity to showcase what I do for ETOUR and Mid Sweden University, says Parisa.
Mid-term seminar and valuable feedback
On June 3, after returning to Östersund and ETOUR, Parisa held her mid-term seminar. There, she received valuable feedback from Dr. Solène Prince, Senior Lecturer at Linnaeus University and a former ETOUR researcher – feedback she is very grateful for. Parisa is exactly at the midpoint of her PhD journey – an exciting but also demanding phase, as her aim is to complete one article, begin two new ones, and continue working on her Kappa.
– Even though my head is currently full of notes and suggestions, this process has been incredibly valuable. Thanks to feedback from my colleagues, I now have a much clearer view of the gaps and potential pitfalls in my project and have gained many ideas for how to refine its direction.