From MSc to MRes/PhD: My research journey at Warwick Business School

Jiajia Pan, MRes/PhD Business & Management student at Warwick Business School, shares her experience of transitioning into postgraduate research and studying an MRes, the support she has received, and how the programme has helped her develop as an independent researcher.

What motivated you to pursue the combined MRes/PhD at Warwick Business School?

Having completed a taught master’s degree at Warwick Business School, I wanted to continue developing my academic interests through research. My experience at WBS gave me confidence that it was a place where I could learn from faculty and gradually develop my own ideas. The MRes/PhD programme appealed to me because it offered the training and guidance I needed to make that transition.

I was particularly drawn to the opportunity to take a more active role in academic discussions and explore questions that interested me. Continuing at WBS felt like a natural next step, while also giving me a new challenge: learning how to contribute to knowledge as a researcher.

How has the transition into postgraduate research study been for you?

The transition has been intellectually demanding, busy and very worthwhile. Although the MRes includes some taught modules, I have found the learning experience different from my taught master’s. There is more space to discuss ideas with professors and peers, question the arguments in academic papers, and consider how those discussions might inform my own research.

Over the past year, I have begun to move from being primarily a student towards becoming an independent researcher. I am learning to form my own judgements and explain the reasoning behind them. Knowing that my ideas will be heard and treated respectfully has helped me become more willing to contribute, even when those ideas are still developing.

How has the MRes supported your development as a researcher?

The MRes has helped me connect formal research training with practical experience. Through the modules, I have become more critical in my reading and more attentive to how researchers develop questions and support their arguments. Discussions have also helped me identify potential connections between disciplines, and to think more carefully about my own research interests.

Working as a research assistant has been especially valuable in helping me understand academic work in practice. It has given me experience of contributing to research projects and communicating with faculty. Alongside the coursework, this has strengthened my ability to work independently and helped me prepare for the responsibilities of doctoral research.

How would you describe the academic support and supervision you’ve received?

I have felt supported and respected by the faculty I have worked with - Dr. Özgün Atasoy, Dr. Miaolei Jia, Dr. Yijie Wang, and Dr. Liad Weiss. What I value most is that my ideas are taken seriously, even at an early stage of my research training. I feel able to ask questions and discuss work that is still developing, while receiving feedback that encourages me to examine my reasoning more carefully.

The support has also included opportunities to present my work within the group and at an international conference. I appreciate the time and patience that faculty have invested in my development. Their encouragement, together with constructive guidance, has helped me gain confidence and take greater responsibility for my research.

What has your experience of the MRes cohort been like, and how has it supported your learning and development?

Learning alongside my MRes peers has been an important part of the experience. Our discussions give me opportunities to hear different interpretations of the same reading and to explain my own perspective more clearly. They have helped me recognise assumptions in my thinking and consider questions that I might otherwise have overlooked.

I have particularly valued conversations that connect different research interests. For example, discussing ideas across marketing and strategy has encouraged me to consider where these fields might inform one another. I have found the atmosphere open and encouraging, with room for students to contribute their views. This makes the cohort a valuable part of my learning as I develop my own research direction.

What has been the most rewarding or memorable part of your experience so far?

One of the most rewarding aspects has been the opportunity to share my research with others. Presenting within the group and having the opportunity to present at an international conference have made me feel more involved in the academic community. These experiences have also encouraged me to think carefully about how to explain a research question and communicate why it matters.

I am grateful for the faculty support that made these opportunities possible. Being able to contribute to academic discussions at this stage has been meaningful to me. It has helped me see the progress I have made over the year and given me more confidence to continue developing my work.

How have you developed academically or personally since starting the programme?

Academically, I have become more confident in reading research critically and developing my own arguments. I now pay closer attention to how a paper’s claims relate to its evidence and how its ideas might inform my own questions. I have also improved my presentation skills and my ability to discuss research clearly with faculty and peers.

Personally, I have learned to take more initiative and manage the demands of coursework alongside research responsibilities. My research assistant experience has helped me become more thoughtful about professional communication and collaboration. I still have much to learn, but I can see a clear change in how independently I approach my work and how willing I am to express my ideas.

What advice would you give to someone considering the MRes/PhD programme?

I would encourage prospective students to think carefully about the questions that interest them and to remain open to how those interests may develop. Make use of opportunities to speak with faculty and peers, and be willing to share ideas before they feel fully formed. Some of the most useful learning can come from discussing a question that you are still trying to understand.

The programme requires sustained effort, so it is important to be prepared for this,and  manage your time realistically. If possible, seek research assistant experience and opportunities to present your work. For me, the first year of the MRes has been busy and challenging, but the opportunity to grow in a respectful, encouraging environment has made it deeply worthwhile.